Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha member S. Supongmeren Jamir, has urged the Union Health Minister JP Nadda to address multiple healthcare-related concerns affecting the people of Nagaland.
NPCC through its communications department said that Jamir, in a series of letters to the union minister, highlighted three major issues requiring urgent attention from the Centre particularly the Health Ministry.
Highlighting plight of Nagaland’s medical graduates wanting to pursue postgraduate studies, MP said that aspirants, with no dedicated NEET-PG examination centre in the state, were forced to travel long distances to other states, facing financial and logistical burdens.
He acknowledged that Dimapur was previously allocated as a centre. However, he pointed out that the seats filled up within 48 hours, leaving many candidates without access. He, therefore, appealed for reinstating both Kohima and Dimapur as NEET-PG centres to ensure equitable access.
He also expressed concern that CGHS Wellness Centre in Kohima lacked AYUSH facilities, particularly Ayurvedic and Homeopathic units. MP said other capital cities in North Eastern Region were equipped with such facilities, but Kohima remained an exception. MP cited health ministry directive, which recommended setting up of AYUSH units in 26-27 cities.
In this regard, Jamir urged the minister to take immediate action to fill the gap, adding that it would enhance healthcare services and meet the expectations of beneficiaries in the region.
In another letter, MP said during his recent visit to CGHS Wellness Centre in Kohima, he noted a severe shortage of staff, with only two permanent employees currently serving against the three sanctioned posts.
He recommended increasing the sanctioned strength to at least eight, to include more medical officers, pharmacists, support staff, and administrative personnel.
Further, Jamir pointed out that no local hospitals were empanelled with the CGHS due to low CGHS rates and the absence of adequately equipped facilities. He therefore suggested a revision in CGHS rates, especially for NE states, to make empanelment more attractive to private hospitals.
Jamir sought timely intervention by the health ministry ion line with Centre’s vision of improving healthcare services in NE.