Nagaland Joint meeting on child and mother health, TB control held in Kohima

In a first of its kind, a joint meeting of the Kohima District TB Forum, the District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee, and the District Community Resource Group was held on November 26, at the DC Conference Hall, Kohima with ADC Kohima Ruopfukuotuo Noudi chairing the programme.
According to DIPR report, health officials presented updates on immunization achievements, maternal and child health reviews, and tuberculosis control activities in the district during the meeting. Dr. Khrielhoukho reported that the district achieved 87.3% coverage for MR1 (measles-rubella vaccine) in 2024–2025, noting that the figure appeared low because many children born in Kohima return to their home districts for vaccinations.
From April to August 2025, however, the district recorded 106% coverage, reflecting significant improvement.
Penta-1 vaccination coverage reached 89.5% in 2024–2025 and 109.2% between April and August 2025. He highlighted the need for continued collaboration to ensure full immunization for every child.
The meeting also reviewed the Maternal and Child Death Surveillance and Response (MPC-DSR) proceedings held in July, where three maternal deaths and five child deaths were examined.
Several corrective measures requiring state support were shared, including the need for cardiac monitors for NHK’s OBG department, establishment of an obstetric HDU, supply of essential neonatal and maternal equipment, improved diagnostics, and training for health workers.
Dr. Avonu presented a detailed case report of a preterm infant born at 30 weeks and 6 days who died due to prematurity and respiratory distress.
The discussion highlighted the unavailability of surfactant therapy – an essential but costly treatment for preterm babies – as a major gap.
She appealed for surfactant to be included under PMJAY/CMHIS to benefit economically weaker families.
Dr. Chibenthung briefed the forum on TB-related initiatives, noting that free diagnostic services, free anti-TB drugs, nutritional support under Nikshay Poshan Yojana (now enhanced to Rs. 1,000 per month), and TB preventive therapy continue to be provided. Under the intensified TB campaign, the district conducted 149 screening camps, with over 5,000 individuals screened and 815 sputum samples tested.
Kohima recorded 540 TB notifications so far this year, with a treatment success rate of 72.42%.
Presenting a recent maternal death case, Dr. Rosemary reported that a pregnant woman admitted with a 36-week gestation developed rapid complications.
Despite ICU care, emergency caesarean section, and extensive resuscitation, the patient passed away the same day due to cardiopulmonary arrest resulting from Streptococcus infection and ARDS.
The newborn, a healthy female weighing 2.3 kg, was safely delivered and shifted to the SNCU. The meeting concluded with a call for improved health infrastructure, and continued community engagement to enhance maternal, child, and public health outcomes.