As part of a phased state-wide inspection initiative, Nagaland’s Minister for Health and Family Welfare, P. Paiwang Konyak, led his medical mission to Mokokchung today. The tour focused on assessing food safety, drug compliance, and medical infrastructure to identify gaps and prioritize solutions.
The Inspection commenced with visits to New Market at Salangtem Ward, where the Minister evaluated food safety measures. He interacted with fish wholesalers to discuss sourcing practices and examine potential chemical adulteration in fish. Accompanied by the Food Safety Authority and the Food Safety on Wheels team, samples of fish were collected for testing. The Minister also inspected packaged food items to ensure adherence to manufacturing and labeling standards, emphasizing the need for expiry dates and understandable labeling.
The inspection extended to pharmacies and drug dealers, where compliance with drug safety regulations was assessed. The Minister reiterated the importance of licensed pharmacists managing these establishments and checked for the presence of banned substances and outdated medicines.
The tour included a visit to the Integrated Ayush Hospital (IAH) under construction at Sapangya Compound, Mokokchung. This 50-bed facility, initiated in December 2019 under the National Ayush Mission, received commendation for its workmanship. However, Minister Konyak urged concurrent progress on essential utilities like water supply, electrification, and an approach road to ensure functionality upon completion.
To address infrastructure challenges, the Minister announced:
₹3 crore for completing the A Block building of the Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH).
₹2 crore for the Critical Care Unit (CCU) at IMDH.
He assured resolution of the water supply issue at the Nursing Girls’ Hostel, raised earlier by the Medical Superintendent.
During the inspection, the Ao Senden, a prominent community organization, submitted two key concerns: Dissatisfaction with the workmanship of the A Block building at IMDH, requesting expedited construction.
The urgent replacement of transferred and deputed doctors, citing health emergencies in the region.
Minister Konyak addressed these issues, emphasizing that the engineering and technical teams are actively evaluating construction quality and ensuring structural integrity. He urged patience, promising comprehensive oversight for quality assurance.
The medical mission’s broader aim is to identify lapses in healthcare delivery and public safety. Minister Konyak stated, “We are here to ensure that the department functions effectively, infrastructure is optimized, and the public receives quality health services.”
The team also reviewed the stalled work on the new hospital block and non-utilized rooms, discussing potential new uses.
Nagaland’s Department of Health and Family Welfare began this initiative in Dimapur on November 19. Mokokchung marked the second district in the tour. The inspections align with directives from the central ministry and aim to strengthen healthcare systems statewide.
The Minister’s team plans to visit Longleng, Tuensang, and Mon in the coming days, with Phases II and III covering remaining districts.
The findings and feedback from the Mokokchung tour have not been disclosed yet, as the Minister and his team refrained from providing a press briefing. Instead, a closed-door meeting was convened among officials to discuss the assessments. The outcomes of this meeting are expected to influence policy decisions aimed at improving public health and safety infrastructure, particularly in Mokokchung’s only district hospital, the Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH).
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The Minister also addressed the issue of manpower shortages within the state’s healthcare system. He highlighted that Nagaland faces a deficit of over 100 plus doctors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many doctors, nurses, and medical professionals were temporarily appointed to serve the public. In recognition of their contributions, the state government decided to initiate a special recruitment drive for these healthcare workers.
However, some regular doctors challenged this decision in court, delaying the recruitment process. The Minister assured that if the court rules in the government’s favor, the special recruitment drive will proceed. He also noted that there are still several clear vacancies in the department, which need to be filled.
Further, he mentioned the department’s plan to implement a two-cadre system for doctors, categorizing them into specialized and non-specialized roles, pending government approval. The Minister emphasized the importance of this system, especially with many senior doctors nearing retirement. The absence of specialized doctors in hospitals, he cautioned, could lead to a scenario where only Medical Officers (MOs) are available, while patients seek specialized care elsewhere.
He expressed concern that despite financial support available through schemes like CMHIS and Ayushman Bharat Scheme, people may prefer hospitals with specialized doctors for better treatment. This, he said, could undermine the effectiveness of district hospitals.
To address long-term manpower challenges, the state government has signed an assurity bond with MBBS students from Nagaland. Under this agreement, MBBS graduates are required to serve the state government upon completing their studies. While this will ensure an increase in Medical Officers, the Minister stressed that the focus must also remain on training clinical specialists to fill critical gaps left by retiring senior doctors.
He appealed to the public for patience, explaining that the delay in recruitment is necessary to ensure a sustainable and effective healthcare system, even as district hospitals across the state struggle with severe doctor shortages.
