Kohima, October 20 (DIPR): The Directorate of Field Publicity Ministry of I&B Regional Office, Nagaland & Manipur, Kohima organized a regional orientation workshop for field officers on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) with special focus on Mission Indradhanush, Population Stabilisation, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Anaemia among adolescent girls on October 20 at the Conference Hall of Circuit House, New Ministers' Hill, Kohima.
Home Commissioner and Commissioner & Secretary for Health & Family Welfare, Abhijit Sinha, IAS and Director, Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Bendangyanger were the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
Addressing the field officers at the workshop, the chief guest said that health is important for all people irrespective of age. Most of the time, policies and programmes initiated by the government are targeted to a particular group but health as such cannot be restricted to a particular group or individual alone, he said.
He mentioned the importance of media in partnering with the Department for disseminating of the programs and policies being implemented in the health sector. Asserting the achievements of Nagaland with that of the national level, he said the State has so far done well which means in many parameters the State is ahead than the national average. However, in sex ratio the State needs to improve its ratio which is presently lower than the national average, he stated.
On Beti Bachao Beti padhao, the chief guest said three key departments have been engaged as such people have to support and give concerted efforts for the programme to be successful. He also said that “healthy family becomes wealthy family” as such one should look at health as an important factor in all aspects.
Guest of honour, Dr. Bendangyanger said the main objective of the workshop was to update the knowledge and equip the field officers on RMNCH+A which was launched in 2013 in order to address the major causes of mortality among women and children. He also said that only a healthy mother can give birth to a healthy baby thereby investing in the mother and child care is one of the most acceptable international as well as national strategies. Districts such as Tuensang, Mon, Wokha and Kiphire have been identified under this program, he mentioned.
Director, DFP, Kohima, Dr. Engam Pame who delivered the key note address said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India initiated a new media strategy called Special Media Campaign on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) with special focus on mission Indradhanush, Population Stabilisation, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Anaemia among Adolescent girls. He also mentioned that 25% of the districts in every state based on composite health index have been identified as high priority districts for which success largely depends on people's participation.
A vast section of our population in rural and remote areas do not have access to information regarding developmental programs due to lack of information as such the Directorate of Field Publicity comes in to fill in the gaps , thus it acts as a bridge between the people and the government in a true sense, he added. Stressing on the importance of information, he said the organisation would also strive to create well informed communities with regard to the national objectives so as to reach the last man in the last mile. He expressed hope that by joining hands we would be able to make a difference in the lives of our people.
Function President, Dr. Nungsangtemjen Ao, in his presidential address, extended his pleasure to be in the orientation workshop which he felt was important and appropriate at this juncture since the three important health outcome goals to be achieved by the end of 2017 as per the 12th Five Year Plan was related to this program. He said the field officers who form an important cog in this program should be well equipped, updated and well versed. He also urged the officers posted in the districts to give feedback about their interactions with the beneficiaries so as to reassess the strategies and challenges for the successful implementation of the government services.
FPO, Ukhrul, Robin Kashungnao proposed vote of thanks while Women Department, Kohima Zeme Baptist Church presented special number. FPO, Churachandpur, P. Sophie was the moderator.
