P Paiwang Konyak and others during the inaugural session of ECHO India Partner Launch Training programme in Kohima on July 4. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 4
A two day long ECHO India Partner Launch Training for health officials of Nagaland with special focus on health system strengthening through capacity building commenced at Hotel Vivor, Kohima on July 4.
Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) India was established in 2008 as a non-profit trust to foster vibrant learning communities in healthcare and education.
In Nagaland, ECHO India has established three telementoring hubs and collaborated with the state’s National Health Mission, State Tuberculosis Cell and Nagaland Nursing Council.
“I appreciate our ECHO India partners, supporters for coming forward to impart training to our dedicated healthcare professionals,” said Nagaland’s Health & Family Welfare Minister, P Paiwang Konyak while addressing the inaugural session.
Paiwang maintained that ECHO India’s initiative marks a significant milestone in “our collective effort to bridge the gap in healthcare delivery and ensure that quality care reaches every corner of our state.”
Nagaland being a community-driven society, by involving community and imparting training will empower primary care clinicians in rural and underserved areas with the knowledge and support they need to provide expert-level care, the minister said.
This standard of knowledge ensures that every patient, regardless of where they live, can receive the highest standard of care. It is about equity, empowerment and excellence in healthcare, he said.
The minister described the training programme as a movement, which will transform the healthcare landscape in our state, making specialized knowledge accessible to all healthcare providers, irrespective of their geographical location.
The minister urged all healthcare providers to embrace this opportunity, participate actively in the ECHO sessions and become a part of this transformative movement.
“Let us work together to ensure that every citizen in our state has access to the quality healthcare they deserve,” he urged.
Nagaland focusing on improving lives of its citizens: Dr Sorhie
Also speaking at the inaugural session, National Health Mission (NHM) Nagaland mission director Dr. Akuo Sorhie said that government of Nagaland has been steadfast in its focus on improving the lives of its citizens.
Recognizing the pivotal role that healthcare plays in enhancing overall quality of life, significant investments have been made to bolster the healthcare infrastructure across the state, she said.
The establishment of Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) in Kohima, marks a significant milestone, promising a tremendous upsurge in healthcare upliftment and development, she said.
Stating that the government's vision extends beyond the urban centers, she said “There is a concerted effort to ensure that the knowledge and benefits at the centre extend to the peripheries and reaches to the farthest corners of Nagaland.”
The construction of new health facilities, upgrading of existing ones, and deployment of advanced medical technologies are all part of this comprehensive strategy, she said.
Moreover, there has been a significant push to enhance the skills and capabilities of our healthcare professionals. Training programs, workshops, and continuous education opportunities are being provided to ensure that our healthcare providers are well-equipped to meet the evolving health needs of our communities, she said.
“In this crucial endeavor, we have found a steadfast partner in ECHO India,” Dr. Sorhie said.
She was optimistic that the discussions and insights during Echo India Partner Launch training will pave the way for meaningful and sustainable progress of healthcare delivery system in the state.
“Let us take this opportunity to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and build lasting partnerships that will propel our mission forward to much greater height. Together, I believe we can create a healthier, stronger and more resilient Nagaland,” she added.
‘ECHO India to ensure easy access to high-quality healthcare across Nagaland’
ECHO India Chief Operating Officer Surojit Chattoraj said that the mission of ECHO is to democratize medical knowledge and get best practice care to underserved people all over India.
He expressed the organization’s commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility in Nagaland.
“ECHO India is dedicated to ensuring easy access to high-quality healthcare across Nagaland. We deeply appreciate the steadfast support of the government and NHM in our collective efforts to build robust health systems,” Chattoraj said.
He underscored ECHO India’s mission to facilitate healthcare access through innovative approaches, supported by strong partnerships with governmental bodies like NHM to foster sustainable healthcare development in the region.
ECHO connects frontline health workers to experts and builds capacity for delivery of quality healthcare to vulnerable population, he said.
Chattoraj informed that ECHO India’s interventions in education focus on up-skilling, motivation and training of the educators and continuous mentorship for better teaching-learning in classrooms and better culture in the education institutions.
Dr Sandeep Bhalla, vice president, Projects, ECHO India, said, “We are grateful to NHM Nagaland and its officials for giving us ample opportunities to work towards strengthening the health workforce. ECHO India is fully committed to supporting the strengthening of the primary health care system by creating a competent health workforce through various capacity-building initiatives.”
With a goal to touch 400 million lives in India by the end of 2025, ECHO India, along with its partners, has established over 400 hubs and implemented 1,400+ capacity-building programs that cover more than 30 disease areas.
The two day training, to continue till July 5, aim to enhance the capacity and skills of healthcare professionals across the state.
