Health minister flags off mobile medical unit for Zunheboto

KOHIMA — Minister of Health and Family Welfare, P Paiwang Konyak, on Thursday flagged-off the mobile medical unit (MMU) for Zunheboto district at the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare in Kohima.

The MMU was supported by TATA AIG General Insurance Company Ltd. under its Social Corporate Responsibility (Healthcare Scheme),

Speaking at the launch programme, Konyak said that it is not just a vehicle but a beacon of hope for communities who have long awaited essential healthcare services. He added that Government of India, through the National Health Mission, is providing human resource, vehicle for transporting drug and diagnostic and funds for the mobility support.

He expressed hope that the mobile units would alleviate the need for long and arduous journeys to the nearest hospital, reducing delays in treatment and preventing the escalation of minor health issues into major medical concerns. He added that it would serve as a step forward in reducing disparities in healthcare access as well as serve the population with dignity, focusing on preventive healthcare as much as curative solutions.

He informed that the programme for Nagaland was started in December 2007, where 11 mobile medical units were launched in 11 districts and are fully functional in 11 districts covering the newly upgraded districts. He added that the department has proposed to the central government for provision of fully functional mobile medical units for the new six districts.

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He urged the CMO team in Zunheboto to ensure utmost care and maintenance of the mobile medical unit, treat it as a valuable asset to sustain its condition and service readiness.

On behalf of the government, he extended gratitude to TATA AIG General Insurance Company Ltd, and Swasti for the generous sponsorship of the mobile medical unit. He stated that their support has provided critical resources by enabling to reach people who lack access to healthcare.

He further urged to reaffirm commitment to a healthier, stronger and more inclusive India.

The NHM mission director, Dr. Akuo Sorhie, gave an overview of MMU programme implementation in Nagaland. She informed that as per the meeting with JS Policy MoHFW on October 17 this year, the Ministry has directed all the states “to make the MMU functional by this year end as per the NHM ROP approval.”

She informed that MMU in the state are all functional though quite old and added getting a new one is a big boost to healthcare.

MMU services envisaged to meet the technical and service quality standards for a primary health centre in various areas including maternal health, neonatal and infant health (0-1yr old), child and adolescent health, reproductive health and contraceptive services, management of chronic communicable diseases etc.

She observed the MMU in Nagaland have been an important initiative in enhancing primary healthcare access, particularly in remote, hard to reach and underserved areas by providing essential healthcare services to the communities that are difficult to reach due to geographical barriers and inadequate infrastructure.

“Access to essential medical services in many areas still remains a challenge,” she said while adding that, “MMU plays a very crucial role in bridging this gap, bringing healthcare directly to the doorsteps of those who need it most.”

Madhukar Sinha, president government and rural business at TATA AIG General Insurance Company Ltd; HS Viswanath, director of Swasti; and Rambabu, partnership Lead of Swasti, also spoke during the programme.

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