One day training held on ‘free diagnostic services’ for laboratory technician in Kohima

A one-day training program for lab technicians on “Free Diagnostic Service” was conducted in two batches on July 3 at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima. The training was organized in collaboration with the Regional Resource Center – North East (RRC-NE) Guwahati.
During the programme, prior to the technical session, RRC-NE, Guwahati, Director Dr. Raj Prabha Moktan, highlighted the crucial role of lab services in both clinical and preventive healthcare, emphasizing the need for improvement and capacity building. She noted that the upcoming National Health Mission (2025–2030) would focus more on AI and e-Health, urging the State to upgrade lab services in line with the Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) standards. She praised the State’s low infant mortality rate (7, as per SRS 2022), fewer anaemia cases among pregnant women, and the functional Health & Wellness Center (HWC) in the State which is, 78% out of the target and out of that 83% are providing all the required services. She also commended the State’s strong community engagement, progress in National Quality Assurance Standard (NQAS) certification, and its rational transfer and posting policy.
DoHFW, Principal Director, Dr. Mereninla Senlem, thanked RRC-NE Guwahati Director for its continued support, especially for aspirational districts. She stressed the importance of accurate diagnosis in healthcare and urged lab technicians to upgrade their skills during the training. She also mentioned the launch of a B.Sc. in Lab Technology at the State Paramedical Institute for career growth.
The programme was chaired by NHM Nagaland, State Program Officer, Dr. Keveduyi Theyo. A brief overview of the Free Diagnostic Service Initiative (FDSI) in the State was presented by NHM, Deputy Director, Dr. Manyau Phom, welcome address by NHM Nagaland, Mission Director, Dr. Avile Zao and vote of thanks by DoHFW, Director, Dr. Sentimeren Aonok
The training was conducted in two batches. On July 3, lab technicians from the districts of Mon, Noklak, Peren, Phek, Tuensang, Wokha, Zunheboto, and Longleng participated, while those from Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, and Kiphire were scheduled for training on July 4.
Participants were trained on Free Diagnostic Service Initiative (FDSI), Internal Quality Control, EQAS, and hands-on sessions. The resource persons included RRC-NE, Senior Consultant, Bhaswat Kumar Das, CP-CPHC (RRC-NE ), Consultant, Pumani Kalita, personnel from Trimed with which NHM has a MoU for maintenance of Medical Equipments across the State and OEM on equipment.