Members of the Nagaland Association of Community Health Officers (NACHO) pose for a group photograph during the Biennial General Meeting held in Wokha on October 8.
Morung Express News
Wokha | October 8
The Nagaland Association of Community Health Officers (NACHO) held its Biennial General Meeting 2026 on October 8 under the theme “United for Health, Committed for Community,” with discussions focusing on the role of Community Health Officers (CHOs), challenges faced by them and the need to strengthen community-level healthcare.
Advisor to the Chief Minister, Dr Chumben Murry, who addressed the meeting, highlighted the evolving role of CHOs in bringing healthcare services closer to the people.
Referring to the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 and the National Health Policy, Dr Murry said the development of community-based healthcare reflected the need to make health services more accessible to people.
Describing CHOs as dedicated mid-level healthcare service providers, he said their position within communities enables them to understand local health needs and identify appropriate interventions. He also highlighted their role in coordinating with other frontline health workers, including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
Dr Murry stressed that commitment to healthcare should extend beyond hospitals and clinics, urging CHOs to listen to people, reach out to communities and remain present where their services are needed. He also called on healthcare providers not to give up on patients.
NACHO president Arensenla Longkumer said common health concerns at the community level include fever, cough and diarrhoea among children, hypertension among older people, and anaemia among women and lactating mothers. Injuries and skin ailments were also among the health concerns reported.
Referring to recent deaths suspected to be linked to spurious liquor, Longkhumer said prevention requires greater awareness at the community level. He said standard operating procedures (SOPs) had been prepared and awareness programmes were being conducted with the support of communities and churches.
Meanwhile, NACHO vice president Nevelu Nyekha appealed to the government to regularise the services of CHOs. He said that if regularisation was not possible, the government should consider merging their salaries with the Performance-Based Incentive (PBI).
Nyekha also called for additional manpower, citing the workload of CHOs, and urged the government to improve infrastructure at Health and Wellness Centres.
The meeting also deliberated on the roles and challenges of CHOs and the need for stronger coordination in delivering healthcare services at the community level.
