DIMAPUR, JUN 9 (NPN): Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) minister, P. Paiwang Konyak, has called for a collective and coordinated effort from all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the state government’s one-year ban on tobacco.
The state government has imposed a statewide ban on the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of all food products containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients, in line with public health concerns and directions from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Paiwang made the appeal during a high-level review meeting of the H&FW department held on Tuesday in the presence of H&FW secretary S. Tainiu Khiam and senior officers.
The minister emphasised the need for strong public support and urged civil society organisations, churches, and community leaders to extend full cooperation to the tobacco ban. He said the ban would significantly improve public health and protect the younger generation from the harmful effects of tobacco use.
He also called upon all stakeholders to work closely with district administrations and police for effective enforcement.
During the meeting, Paiwang reviewed the department’s performance and ongoing programmes, including preparedness for a possible Ebola outbreak, the 100-day mission under National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS), and the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan campaign.
The minister directed officials to strengthen outreach at the district level and ensure healthcare services reach the grassroots effectively.
IDSP state nodal officer Dr. Nyan Kikon informed the meeting that no Ebola case has been detected in Nagaland so far.
The department has, however, been asked to maintain heightened surveillance and keep robust response mechanisms ready.
The meeting also reviewed progress on major health infrastructure projects, including Mon Medical College, Nagaland Institute of Medical Science and Research (NIMSR) Kohima, projects under PM-DevINE, and externally aided projects under National Health Mission (NHP III).
Other initiatives in the pipeline include setting up trauma centres in district hospitals, upgrading the state mental health institute into a centre of excellence, establishment of a state cancer institute and state allied health institute, upgradation of NIMSR, and the proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Naga Ki.
A team of consultants from JICA also briefed the meeting on the NIMSR project.
Paiwang receives Ni-kshay Mitra certificate
Meanwhile, Paiwang received the Ni-kshay Mitra Certificate in recognition of his contribution to the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA).
According to an update by the department on X, Paiwang was recognised as the highest contributor among Ni-kshay Mitras from Nagaland.