Minister of Health & Family Welfare S Pangnyu Phom inaugurated three villages and three medical sub-centres in Longleng district on 16 and 17 December respectively.

The three newly recognised villages are Yongsham, Mungkhu and Meyongkhang.

The three medical sub-centres were inaugurated at Yongphang, Hukphang and Mongtikang villages.

In his inaugural speech, Pangnyu Phom called upon the various leaders of the Phom community from NGOs, churches and political and civil societies to change their selfish mindset and focus on community development of the district, giving special treatment to the areas lagging behind by upholding peace with feelings of oneness as is pledged by the Phom community during Phom Day on 6 June annually.

Asserting that Phom was a peace-loving community, the minister said divisive politics have led to hatred and disunity among the people and advised the gathering to refrain from such politics and to move forward together for a prosperous future.

Sakshi Block was selected as an aspirant block of the district keeping in mind the backwardness of the block to push forward together with other blocks of the district, he added.

The minister also enumerated various developmental activities initiated by the government during his tenure as minister in charge of Health & Family Welfare. He informed that strong and capable political leadership is required to bring change and development.

Informing that recognition of a new village was a joint effort of all concerned, minister Pangnyu Phom thanked the department and the district administration for their cooperation and support. Exhorting that the responsibility to mold and shape the future of the villages depends upon the villagers, he urged the Deputy Commissioner not to delay the proposal submitted by these villages to make the facilities in time.

In a short speech, DC Longleng Dharam Raj assured that the district administration is ready to provide all possible facilities and requirements to redress the problems.

While inaugurating the medical sub-centres at Yongphang, Hukphang and Mongtikang, the minister said the status of the medical department was very low with many non-functional sub-centres in the state when he took charge as the minister of the department.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic was a blessing in disguise to improve the healthcare facilities and infrastructure development of hospitals in the state.

He informed that for the benefit of the ENPO areas, Medical College was established in Mon and Nagaland Ayush College in Longleng.

At Yongphang, minister Phom said with the ongoing road construction under the NEC rehabilitation scheme from Longleng to Tuensang, Yongphang village has become an epicenter for development due to its connectivity with Mon and Tuensang districts besides Longleng.

Keeping the priority in mind, therefore, Yongphang Sub-Centre was proposed to provide medical facilities not only to Longleng but also to the people of Mon and Tuensang districts, the minister stated.

The respective village council, head GBs, district administration, NGOs, CMO and representatives of the H&FW department also spoke and addressed the inauguration functions.