Nagaland making strides in public health: Dr. Khetoli Zhimomi

Health and family welfare (H&FW) joint director Dr. Khetoli Zhimomi highlighted the significant progress made by Nagaland in strengthening its healthcare delivery system through various flagship health initiatives.
Speaking at a media workshop held at Hotel Saramati here Saturday, H&FW joint director gave updates on several government schemes including Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), and public health campaigns on malaria and tuberculosis (TB) elimination.
On Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) expanding reach, Dr. Zhimomi informed that Nagaland has operationalised a total of 484 HWCs, many of which were located in remote tribal and rural areas that were once difficult to access. The breakdown included 338 sub-centre HWCs, 49 Ayush HWCs, and 97 HWC primary centres, with 57 medical officers (MOs) currently operational. However, 44 urban HWCs were yet to be made functional.
Each HWC delivers 12 expanded package services, including tuberculosis and mental health care. Community health officers (CHOs) have been posted in all sub-centre HWCs, ensuring professional primary care at the first point of contact. Diagnostic support includes 10-12 free tests at sub-centres and 35-40 tests at PHCs, along with the provision of free essential drugs. Notably, eSanjeevani, a teleconsultation platform, is actively being used in sub-centres, enhancing access to specialist care in far-flung areas.
On addressing malaria, Dr. Zhimomi pointed out that the disease remains a public health challenge in rural and tribal regions of the state. However, she said Nagaland has made remarkable progress in controlling its spread. The joint director disclosed that Nagaland has reported zero malaria deaths since 2017 and was honoured with the National Best Performing State Award on World Malaria Day, April 25, 2022, in New Delhi. She credited the Government of India, the Government of Nagaland, and the NCVBDC for this collective achievement.
Dr. Zhimomi also disclosed that Nagaland was also aligning itself with the national goal of TB elimination by 2025. In 2024, 82% of the targeted 5,000 TB cases were notified, with 4,174 active TB cases reported. She said this translates to a notification rate of approximately 194 per lakh population, reflecting intensified detection and reporting.
Providing details on the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, Dr. Zhimomi highlighted the progress made in establishing the core digital health infrastructure, which includes—ABHA ID generation: 7,61,946; Healthcare Professional Registry: 1,576 professionals registered, including 487 doctors and 1,079 nurses and Health Facility Registry: 1,311 facilities registered (661 government, 657 private).
Despite the state initiating ABDM activities, she said only in late November–December 2023, 97.73% saturation has already been achieved in the government health sector.
Dr. Zhimomi said that Dimapur microsite has shown exceptional performance in private sector integration, with 415 private healthcare professionals onboarded and 613 private health facilities registered. Moreover, said 2,461 patient health records have been successfully linked to ABHA IDs, bolstering digital health continuity and patient data accessibility.
Dr. Zhimomi also highlighted Nagaland’s progress in maternal and child health despite the challenges posed by difficult terrain, limited resources, and prolonged socio-political unrest.
She disclosed that Nagaland state has seen a sharp decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) since the introduction of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). By 2017, Dr. Zhimomi said Nagaland had entered the single-digit IMR bracket, achieving the second-lowest IMR in the country at 4 in 2018 and 3 in 2019, next only to Mizoram.
She attributed the achievement to improved interventions in maternal and newborn care, strong community support systems, nutritional awareness, and the cultural emphasis on maternal health.
On pandemic response and infrastructure development, she said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nagaland’s healthcare system received a significant boost through the PM CARES initiative, which facilitated the installation of 15 PSA oxygen plants and a range of ventilators to equip hospitals across the state for critical care.
Dr. Zhimomi reiterated the state’s commitment to strengthening public health services and building resilient systems that catered to every citizen, especially in the most underserved regions.