A five -day Training of Trainers (ToTs) on the Expanded Package of Service under Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC), for Community Health Officers (CHOs) from across the State commenced at the conference hall of the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima on Tuesday.
A DIPR report informed that, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), Dr. E Motsuthung Patton, while welcoming the CHOs emphasized the pivotal role they played in delivering health services to every doorstep in the village, terming them as the backbone of the Health & Wellness Centers in the state.
He encouraged them to exhibit sincerity and regularity in their duties to enhance health indicators state wide.
Deputy director of NHM, Dr. Manyau Phom provided an overview of Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Health & Wellness Centers, highlighting its focus on preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative healthcare. He underscored the importance of CHOs and Frontline Health Workers (FLWs) as the first contact in the health delivery system.
State TB Officer of the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP), Dr. Vizokholo acknowledged the commendable services rendered by CHOs in delivering CPHC through HWCs in villages. She expressed optimism that the five-day training would enhance their understanding of TB-related activities such as screening of presumptive TB cases and sputum collection and transportation, thereby contributing to TB elimination efforts and fulfilling the Continuum of Care.
The five-day training will extensively cover the 12 expanded packages of services to be provided through the Health & Wellness Centre, encompassing Reproductive & Child Health, Family Planning, Adolescent Health, Oral Health, Eye Care, ENT, Emergency Care, Mental Health, Elderly Care, Palliative Care Services, Food Safety, and Non-Communicable Diseases. Following the ToTs, CHOs will train staff nurses and frontline workers like ANMs and ASHAs.