Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 4
With the advent of communitisation programmes in the health sector, villagers have started to display a sense of ownership to manage and improve the functioning of health centres in the state.
“Communitisation has definitely made a good beginning, but it has a long way to achieve its goals, said Temjen Toy in a book entitled “VHCs speak.”
The department of health and family welfare was among the first to pioneer the implementation of the communitisation scheme in 2002.
In the absence of a proper sub – centre building, the villagers of Nitozu have provided a temporary house for the centre to function, said Nitozu Village Health Committee Chairman Ahoto Asumi in a book “VHCs speak.”
He added that it had requested the government to help/support them to put up a permanent building for the sub centre.
After communitisation the function of the sub-centre has made marked improvement, said L. Chasu, chairman Zhamai Village Health Committee adding that since the Sub-Centre building was in a very bad condition, the villagers kept contributing wood, bamboo and voluntary labourers and repaired the centre from time to time.
“There are some indigenous medicine practitioners in the village who use locally available herbs for the treatment of various ailments and setting right bone dislocations, sprains etc. However, they are not very popular, but the VHC encourages them from time to time to improve their skills,” said T. Venuh, chairman Thipuzumi Village Health Committee.
The Yaongyimti Baptist Church donated Rs 1000 in July 2003 while the VHC could generate Rs. 1000 in August 2003 from local resources to buy medicines for the Sub-centre and supplement the grants given by the department, said chairman managing committee S Imtisholim Chang, GB.
The staffers’ attendance is regular and there is sincerity and dedication to duties, said Zhehoto, chairman Yemishe Village Health Committee adding that the salaries are disbursed regularly every month through the VHC bank account.
The Waphur Village Health Committee chairman S Shuto said that after communitisation, the attendance and regularity of staffers have improved. The VHC also carry out periodic checks and supervise their works from time to time.
“Every three months, the VHC and MSS jointly organize village cleanliness drive on a regular basis, in which the villagers have wholeheartedly cooperated, said Vimezhiho Kera, chairman Khuzama Village Health Committee.
Kera also added that together with the sub-centre staffers, the VHC has fixed the 21st day of every month as Immunization Day and this is being done very regularly till date.
“The people are happy with communitisation programme and have welcomed it. We are grateful for receipt of Rs. 10,000 in 2002 and Rs. 20,000 in 2003-04 for purchase of medicines. Medicines have been purchased and made available at the Sub-Centre,” said Angsham, chairman Longching Village Health Committee.
Morung Express News
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