Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) minister P Paiwang Konyak has directed the Drug Control to immediately shut down all pharmacies found operating without registration, licence or operated by unqualified pharmacists during the state-wide tour in November last year.
Chairing a review meeting at the Directorate of H&FW, Kohima on Friday, Paiwang cautioned that in addition to the 24 pharmacies found operating illegally in Dimapur, Nuiland, Chümoukedima, Mokokchung, Tuensang and Mon during the tour, similar action would be initiated against pharmacies across the state, if found operating illegally during his upcoming state wide tour. He maintained that streamlining of drug licencing would open up avenues for qualified pharmacists for employment.
Shortage of doctors: Further, to address the shortage of doctors in district hospitals, he said the government planned to transfer excess doctors from some hospitals to places where there is a shortage.
Since a committee was constituted to undertake re-designation of various posts as per need, the minister directed the committee to work on transfer and posting, prioritising specialists to be posted.
Manpower: On manpower shortage in various categories, Konyak directed the H&FW principal director to convene a meeting without delay and submit action plan report in the next review meeting. He said the recruitment of staff nurses would be based on the approval of the cabinet.
CMHIS issue: On the glitches with regard to Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS)/Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPM-JAY), the minister directed health officials to convene a meeting immediately with the insurance company and private doctors’ association to sort out the matter for smooth implementation of the schemes.
The meeting that lasted for almost seven hours touched upon major issues confronting the H&FW Department.
He directed the H&FW officials to take serious note of the meeting to ensure smooth functioning of the department and in delivering services to the people.
Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (NIMSR) director-cum-dean Dr Soumya Chakraborty updated the meeting on the status of the institute, including infrastructure, manpower, academic and students activities, stating that the college was functioning well and ensuring high standards in education.
On the status of the upcoming Mon Medical College, the executive engineer in-charge disclosed that construction was progressing well with 28% work being completed, exuding confidence that the entire infrastructure would be ready by November 2026.
Other agendas taken up during the meeting included review of projects under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), National Health Mission (NHM), and Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), action taken report of the last tour programme, update on Tertiary Cancer Care Centre, etc.
The minister directed the officials to submit action plan report on all the issues discussed in the next review meeting to be held after two months. This was stated in a press release.