H&FW Minister, P Paiwang Konyak and other officials inspect the ongoing construction of new District Hospital Longleng on November 21. (Morung Photo)
Paiwang inspects Longleng hospital; says DHs should acquire bigger land for future expansion
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 21
The Government of Nagaland is contemplating the introduction of a two-cadre system—specialist and non-specialist—to address workforce shortages in health facilities, informed Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Minister, P Paiwang Konyak on Thursday.
He said this while visiting Longleng as a part of state-wide inspection tour for assessing the Medical infrastructure and amenities in Nagaland with focus on strengthening the healthcare workforce to ensure better healthcare services for the community.
The shortage of healthcare workers is not limited to Longleng but affects the entire State, the Minister said, adding that department is working out modalities on two-cadre-system.
The recruitment drive will take place once government approves the modalities and assured that the core issue will be addressed soon, he added.
Indicating a vision for expanding healthcare infrastructure while inspecting the ongoing construction of new DH Longleng, the minister opined that DHs should have larger land as it ensures space for future expansion.
To this end, he urged the Phom civil societies to acquire bigger land for Longleng DH assuring of his commitment to develop the hospital.
He urged to expedite the construction stating that the ongoing construction should not be dearth of anything at any cost.
Concern over random SCs, PHCs & CHCs
The minister also stated that owing to random creation and upgradation of Sub Centres, Public and Community Health Centres (PHCs &CHCs) by the department over the years without proper survey and scrutiny, there were report of many shortfalls of doctors and nurses which compelled him to ban the creation and upgradation of these centres.
In this regard, he mentioned that future upgradations and new creations would be need-based, while existing centres would be surveyed, and if deemed redundant, the department would issue notifications for their downgrading.
Asserting that the tour was an exercise of the department to take on-site verification, Paiwang also informed that he will cover the entire districts in phase wise manner.
On food safety, formalin fishes
The Minister also informed that along with the tour, inspection of food safety and pharmacies will be carried out as conducted in the already covered districts of Dimapur and Mokokchung.
The minister also expressed concern on the flow of foreign food without the manufacture of an expiry date and said if this can be controlled, more employment opportunities can be taken up by local entrepreneurs.
Concerning the use of formalin, Paiwang maintained that if fish imported from other states are found to contain high levels of formalin, the state government may impose a ban and promote locally sourced fish, creating new opportunities for local youth.
He said the exercise is for public awareness which will continue even in the days to come.
While acknowledging the Phom Peoples’ Council, Phom Womens’ Organisation and Phom Students’ Conference for their presence and concern, the H&FW Minister also lauded Dr Hantok Phom who has been serving the Nagas patients in Delhi over the years.
Meanwhile, he also commended the Longleng DH and the doctors for delivering excellent service to the citizens through the CMHIS (Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme) which according to the Minister was far better that the other districts.
He also encouraged making healthcare services accessible to all citizens.
PPC for early completion of new DH
Meanwhile, the Media Officer of Chief Medical Office Longleng stated that the minister took a thorough inspection of the ongoing construction of the new DH Longleng.
After the inspection, he conducted a meeting with the district administration civil societies, district hospital authority and the department officials at PPCA Mission Centre in Longleng.
At the meeting, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Medical Superintendent of Longleng presented an overview of the district hospital and its department.
Phom People's Council President, YB Angam also appealed to the Minister to expedite the construction of the new DH by releasing the necessary funds. He also requested the establishment of a blood bank, which he described as an urgent need for the hospital.
Accordingly, the Minister assured that the incomplete infrastructure at the new hospital would be completed as soon as possible.
Regarding the medical staff quarters, he acknowledged the need for a retaining wall and gave his personal assurance to address the issue at the earliest.
The tour concluded with a visit to the current DH Longleng, where the Minister observed that funds had been “utilised judiciously and for the intended purpose of the hospital.”
The Minister was accompanied by Commissioner Secretary Anoop Khinchi and other department officials.
He further informed that inspection tour was conducted under the directive of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and aimed at assessing infrastructure development, workforce issues, and amenities.
