As decided during a coordination meeting with the Nagaland Private Practitioners’ Association (NPPA) under the chairmanship of commissioner and secretary Y Kikheto Sema on Tuesday, all private hospitals in the State have been declared as tobacco-free zones with effect from April 11.
Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department had already declared all government hospitals, healthcare centres and health offices in the State as tobacco-free zones since February 1 this year. Recollecting the relentless contribution of private hospitals in the fight against Covid-19 during the pandemic, Kikheto conveyed appreciation of the State government to the private hospitals for their collaboration with the government in various healthcare services.
He also appealed to the private hospitals to continue to work together even in the days to come, besides participating in the health information collection system of the department, so that health information from both public and private sectors was captured on real time.
With the aim to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses, Kikheto mentioned that the Central government had launched Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana campaign under the Department of Pharmaceuticals. He urged the private hospitals to come on-board the scheme and use generic medicines that were available through special outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra, so as to reduce the healthcare expenditure of every citizen, particularly of the poor patients.
Responding to the appeal by the commissioner and secretary on private practice by government doctors, nurses or other employees, NPPA assured not to engage employees of the government in private hospitals in compliance with the provisions of Nagaland Health Care Establishment Act 1997.
The department assured the association to fast-track the process of approval and renewal of licences under the Act and, as a measure to promote the policy on ‘Ease of Doing Business’, would develop a portal to enable online submission of applications and also discuss with respective authorities on various statutory requirements for registration of hospitals for speedy approvals.
In connection with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS), the department said it was working on revision of health benefit package rates so that it was rational and attractive to private hospitals within and outside the State, thereby enabling the beneficiaries access to wide range of hospitals.
The association assured to extend services to the beneficiaries of both the schemes.
The coordination meeting was attended by H&FW principal director Dr Vibeituonuo M Sachu and senior officials and senior members of NPPA led by its president Dr Victo Wotsa. This was stated in a DIPR release.
