State health and family welfare (H&FW) minister, P. Paiwang Konyak, informed that the health department was contemplating introducing more services under the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) very soon.
Paiwang said that the move would help accomplish the state government’s vision “to provide comprehensive health infrastructure to all the citizens of the state”.
Speaking at the two-day extension for community healthcare outcomes (ECHO) India partner launch training here on Thursday, the minister reiterated that CMHIS was designed specifically for the people of Nagaland and launched in collaboration with the central government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, which he said was a significant step towards achieving Nagaland’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goal.
Paiwang said ECHO India initiative marked a significant milestone in the collective effort to bridge the gap in healthcare delivery and ensure that quality care reached every corner of the state.
Claiming that state’s health infrastructure has been enhanced significantly in all the district hospitals, the minister said that besides many health care centres being set up, including the first Medical College in Kohima, construction of Mon medical college was in full swing while the laying of foundation stone for Nursing College in Kohima and Mon were in the pipeline.
Nagaland being a community-driven society, he said that involving community and imparting training would empower primary care clinicians in rural and underserved areas with the knowledge and support they needed to provide expert-level care.
On the ECHO Partner India training, he said it was not just a programme but a movement that would transform the healthcare landscape in the state making specialized knowledge accessible to all healthcare providers, irrespective of their geographical location.
Appreciating ECHO India partners for coming forward to impart training, the minister urged all healthcare providers to embrace the opportunity and work together to ensure that every citizen in the state had access to the quality healthcare they deserved.
In her welcome note, NHM mission director Dr. Akuo Sorhie said the government’s vision extended beyond the urban centres thereby concerted effort was put to ensure that the knowledge and benefits at the centre extended to the peripheries and reaches to the farthest corners of Nagaland.
Through the unique and visionary model of ECHO India, she expressed optimism that healthcare providers in remotest areas received mentorship and discuss their cases with specialists located in different districts of Nagaland and even across the nation.
Dr. Sorhie said the approach not only enhanced the capabilities of the local healthcare providers, but also significantly improved the quality of care delivered to the communities at the primary level.
On the occasion, the minister also released the ECHO India handbook on “Strengthening Healthcare system in Nagaland & Northeast India through partnership & innovation”.