Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAY 23 (NPN): Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) Seikhazou has once again secured the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification, marking its third consecutive cycle of recognition after successfully clearing the national-level external assessment conducted in January 2026.
According to official documents issued by the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, the centre achieved an overall score of 86.47% during the assessment held on January 21 and 22, meeting all criteria required for “Quality Certification” under NQAS. The evaluation covered multiple service areas including General Clinic, Maternity Health, Newborn and Child Health, Immunization, Family Planning, Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, Dressing Room and Emergency, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Outreach and General Administration.
UPHC Seikhazou was first certified in 2019, re-certified for 2022–25, and has now been re-certified for 2026–29. Medical Officer Dr. Bilva Yalie informed that the centre was the first healthcare facility in Nagaland and reportedly the first in the Northeast to receive complete NQAS certification in November 2019. She explained that the certification required healthcare facilities to meet standards across 12 thematic areas covering “every walk of patient’s life,” ranging from antenatal care, deliveries, newborn care and adolescent health services to elderly care.
Dr. Yalie said the process was challenging, involving not only training healthcare staff but also grassroots workers, especially Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), to ensure quality healthcare services reached communities effectively. She emphasized that healthcare should be accessible to all, particularly economically weaker sections who often could not afford treatment at higher institutions. Many daily wage earners and disadvantaged families depended on the UPHC as a “safe haven” because the centre not only provided treatment but also ensured proper follow-up after patients were referred to higher facilities such as Naga Hospital Authority Kohima and district hospitals.
She revealed that the centre regularly contacted referred patients to monitor their condition and ensure treatment compliance, a system that strengthened patient trust and encouraged repeated visits. Patients from distant areas such as Kijümetouma, Dzüleke and Dihoma also sought services at the centre, which she described as testimony to the confidence people had developed in the institution.
Established in June 2014 under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), UPHC Seikhazou caters to wards 1 to 10 along with D Khel, covering a population of around 47,326. The centre conducts two outreach camps and 12 Urban Health and Nutrition Days every month, with special focus on urban poor and slum populations. It functions alongside Bayavü Ayush Health and Wellness Centre, Daklane Health and Wellness Centre, Naga Bazaar Sub-Centre and Kitsubozou Sub-Centre.
At present, the centre has 25 personnel, including two medical officers, one dental surgeon, nurses, ANMs, vaccinators, laboratory and pharmacy staff, ophthalmic assistant, radiographer and support staff. Services available include General OPD, Dental OPD, Ophthalmology OPD, pregnancy and delivery care, post-delivery care, immunization, emergency primary care, free laboratory services, free medicines under Essential Medicines List (EML) 172, referral services, adolescent healthcare, minor surgeries and health certification services.
Dr. Yalie said the centre focused on holistic care and community engagement rather than merely treating illnesses. She noted that staff made efforts to build strong personal connections with patients and their families, which contributed to growing patient turnout. The centre also created a child-friendly environment, with staff often interacting with children outside clinical settings to reduce fear and anxiety.
On infrastructure constraints, she acknowledged serious space limitations despite adequate equipment. Certain diagnostic equipment could not be installed due to the small size of the laboratory, while Dental OPD and vision screening services had to alternate because of limited room availability. Construction of an additional building, initiated through community efforts, remained incomplete due to financial constraints.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Yalie expressed satisfaction with available medical equipment and stressed that the centre tried to perform efficiently with existing resources. She said the centre had witnessed significant transformation since 2017, particularly in community interaction, staff training, laboratory services and outreach programmes.
The medical officer further stated that the centre urgently required an ambulance driver, admitting that the shortage was creating operational difficulties. She also highlighted irregular medicine supply and gaps in supply chain management as ongoing challenges, though appreciated the understanding shown by the community.
UPHC Seikhazou has received several recognitions over the years, including the Kayakalp Award as Best PHC in Kohima district in 2016–17 and continuous commendations till 2024–25. The centre was upgraded to Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre on August 9, 2018 and empanelled under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) on September 23, 2018.