Minister of Health & Family Welfare, P Paiwang Konyak has urged for a collective and coordinated approach to support to the proposed one-year ban on tobacco across the state.
It may be mentioned that state government has imposed a one-year statewide ban on the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of all food products containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients, citing public health concerns and directions from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The Minster commented this during a high-level review meeting of the Department of Health & Family Welfare held on June 9 in the presence of the Secretary H&FW, S Tainiu Khiam and senior officers from the department attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the need for a collective and coordinated approach towards public health and called upon civil society organizations, churches, and community leaders to extend their wholehearted support to the proposed one-year ban on tobacco. He stated that such a measure would significantly contribute to improving public health and safeguarding the younger generation from the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.
The Minister further urged all stakeholders to cooperate closely with the district administration and police authorities to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of the initiative.
Reviewing the department’s performance and ongoing programmes, including preparedness for Ebola outbreak, review on 100-day mission under NQAS, TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan campaign, Paiwang directed the Department to strengthen its outreach at the district level, enhance service delivery, and ensure that government healthcare initiatives effectively reach the grassroots population.
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On Ebola outbreak, State Nodal Officer IDSP, Dr Nyan Kikon apprised the house that no Ebola case has been detected in Nagaland so far. The Department, however, has been directed to maintain heightened surveillance, strengthen preparedness at all levels, and ensure prompt response mechanisms are in place as a precautionary measure.
The meeting deliberated on various health-related issues and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to improving healthcare services across the State through greater coordination, community participation, and district-level engagement.
The meeting also reviewed on the on-going projects including Mon Medical College, NIMSR Kohima, projects under PM-DevINE, externally aided projects (EAP) under NHP III, the projects in pipeline like setting up of trauma centres in various district hospitals, upgradation of state mental health institute into a centre of excellence, establishment of state cancer institute, state allied health institute, upgradation of NIMSR and establishment of a new AIIMS at Naga Ki, while a team of consultants from JICA briefed the house on NIMSR.
