NMA's complaint urges Nienu for better healthcare

Phek | February 7 : Minister for Health & Family Welfare Küzholüzo Nienu today said he will invite the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and deliberate on how to improve the healthcare delivery system in the state.
The minister said this in the wake of the NMA questioning the government over issues pertinent to Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and other health care related matters that appeared in a section of the media. ver the NMA’s reported quoting of official reports of the state government that, “out of a total 33 PHCs in the state, altogether 21 are in Phek district..,” the minister clarified that there are 124 PHCs in Nagaland and not 33 as reported.
Speaking at a foundation stone-laying ceremony for a PHC at Khezhakeno this morning, the minister pointed out that out of 124 PHCs in the state, 24 PHCs are in Phek district while 100 PHCs are distributed to the rest of the state. He said out of 24 PHCs in Phek district, around 7 are non-functional because of ban on post creation.
Welcoming constructive criticism from the NMA, the minister said ‘no human being or a state department is perfect’ and acknowledged that loopholes may be found while at the same time there may also exist ‘some truths and misleading statements’.
Nienu  said that the department will be inviting the NMA to allow them to express their grievances and to let them understand the position of the department and also take suggestions to improve the healthcare delivery system. He said the department will take corrective measures to improve delivery systems.
The minister said all PHCs were approved in the past two terms and  that only 2 PHCs have been approved during his tenure, one at Panso and another at Thuvopisu.
The minister said that the foundation stone for PHC at Khezhakeno was notified in 2001 and it took 10 years to complete. ienu said the department will set up more PHCs in the state, and also assured to ‘deliver justice to other districts’ too.