Health department launches CPHC training for nurses

DIMAPUR — The National Health Mission (NHM) under the department of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with Jhpiego- Nagaland team, on Tuesday launched a five-day training on expanded package of services under comprehensive primary health care (CPHC) for staff nurses posted at Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres.

An update from the Health department stated that the first batch training is being conducted for PHC staff nurses from Mokokchung, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Dimapur and Kohima districts. It added that similar training would be conducted for nurses from the remaining districts in the second phase.

An update from the Health department stated that the inaugural function was held at the conference hall of the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare in Kohima.

Delivering keynote address at the inaugural programme, Dr. Akuo Sorhie, NHM mission director, stated that Health and Wellness Centres (HWC) have been conceptualised to provide comprehensive primary health care (CPHC) to ensure highest possible level of health and well-being at all ages through a set of preventives, promotive, curative and rehabilitative services. She stated that with the epidemiological transition and increased burden of non-communicable diseases in India, it has become critical to deliver a more comprehensive service at the patients’ first point of contact with the health system.

Under this initiative, she informed that the Health and Wellness Centres would provide comprehensive primary health services including components of non-communicable diseases, ophthalmic, ENT, oral health, palliative and geriatric care, emergency and trauma care, screening and management of basic mental health ailments much beyond the existing RMNCH+A services.

Dr. Akuo appealed to the nurses to commit themselves in ensuring quality healthcare to all the citizens by transforming public healthcare delivery system in the state.

Delivering an overview of CPHC, Dr. Mereninla Senlem, NHM state programme pfficer, informed that the programme was intended to reduce out-of -pocket expenses and bringing healthcare closer to the doorstep of the people. She also mentioned that with the paradigm shift in the healthcare scenario, non-communicable diseases have been added to the packages of service provided in the Health and Wellness Centre. One important concept of the CHPC, according to her, was point of care and continuum of care and for which the personnel at the health units have to work as a team.

Dr. R Chubala Aier, additional director and SPO of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, informed that Nagaland is one of the best performing states in the northeast towards elimination of malaria. She also requested the participants to work towards prevention of vector borne diseases before the onset of monsoon in the state by sensitising the people especially at the grassroots on preventive measures and most importantly on the services available at the health units.

Dr. Vizokholo Theyo, state programme officer of National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) and Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP), mentioned that the programme goal was to eliminate TB by 2025.

She gave a brief insight on the Cough App, which is to be installed in all the HWC by this year through which any patients with history of cough would be screened.

Dr. Theyo also spoke on CDST Lab (Culture and Drugs Susceptibility Testing Lab) established at NHAK and added that they are focusing more on the preventive approach in order to achieve the goal of universal health coverage and health for all.

The inaugural program was chaired by Dr. Manyau, NHM deputy director, and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Khelito Zhimomi, NHM state programme officer, RMNCHA+N.

Report informed that the staff nurses would be trained on the twelve expanded  packages  of services namely Care in pregnancy and child-birth, neonatal and infant healthcare services, childhood and adolescent healthcare services, family planning, contraceptive services and other reproductive healthcare services, management of  communicable diseases, national health programmes, general out-patient care for acute simple illnesses and minor ailments, screening, prevention, control and management of non-communicable diseases, care for common ophthalmic and ENT problems, basic oral healthcare, elderly and palliative healthcare services, emergency medical services including burns and trauma, screening and basic management of mental health ailments during the five-day training.