‘Social Protection Help- Desk Project’, a ground breaking initiative funded by TATA AIG, with intervention by Swasti and groundwork by The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) was launched in Nagaland on July 23 at East Gate Hotel, Kohima.
The launching event was attended by TATA AIG funding members, Swasti team, tEA officials, government representatives from Health and Family Welfare.
The event was chaired by Manpang Nyiam, the Project Coordinator of tEA.
She expressed excitement about the launch, and termed it as a significant milestone as the project aims to provide comprehensive social protection and health security services to the communities in Nagaland, particularly in Phek and Zunheboto, ensuring everyone has access to basic health needs.
Delivering welcome address, executive director of tEA, Neikule Doulo highlighted tEA’s 24-year journey in the development sector and how its beneficiaries from diverse backgrounds would be empowered through the various schemes under this project. She also expressed her gratitude to the funders, partners, and government officials for their crucial support in bringing this project to life.
Deputy vice president and lead CSR and Ethics at TATA AIG, Devang, while delivering keynote address, gave a brief introduction to the TATA group, highlighting how its surpluses were converted into charitable works in health, education, and development sectors.
Swasti team, represented by P Bhoopathy, National Social Protection Lead, and Bhawana Yadav, Program Manager, presented an overview of the program along with its goals and objectives. They explained their partnership with TATA AIG and how this project as part of the second phase, will be implemented in Nagaland and Maharashtra while special emphasis will be given to Phek and Zunheboto. They elaborated on how tEA can extend the project to other areas and communities.
Principal Director of the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. E Motsuthung Patton, who graced the event as chief guest expressed his concern for vulnerable communities, who were often the most affected. He mentioned how state government offers various health schemes such as PMJAY, PMJJBY, and PMSBY, among others, but due to lack of awareness many remote communities remain unreached. He therefore expressed gratitude to TATA AIG for the initiative, which will create awareness and provide easy access to these health schemes for everyone.
Joint CEO of the Nagaland Health Protection Society (AB PM-JAY CMHIS), Department of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Kikameren Longkumer, highlighted the scarcity of social protection schemes. He noted that while the state government has provided health insurance for 90% of the 4 lakhhouse holds in Nagaland, only seven lakh individuals out of the 20 lakh population have e-cards, due to a lack of awareness and supporting documents. He expressed gratitude to TATA AIG for funding the initiative, and to Swasti and tEA for their intervention and groundwork, respectively.