- DIMAPUR —
Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha MP, S Supongmeren Jamir, has written a series of
letters to JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals
and Fertilisers, pertaining to multiple healthcare-related concerns affecting
the people of Nagaland.
- A NPPC press release issued by communication department
stated that Jamir, in his letters, highlighted three major issues requiring
urgent attention from the central government, particularly the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare.
- He has highlighted the pressing issue faced by medical
graduates in Nagaland who aspire to pursue postgraduate studies. With no
dedicated NEET-PG examination centre in the state, he stated that aspirants are
forced to travel long distances to other states, facing financial and
logistical burdens.
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- Acknowledging that Dimapur was previously allocated as a
centre, he however noted that the seats were filled up within 48 hours, leaving
many candidates without access. He appealed to reinstate NEET-PG centres in
Kohima and Dimapur to ensure equitable access and reduce the stress on aspiring
candidates.
- The MP also raised the concern that the CGHS Wellness Centre
in Kohima lacks AYUSH facilities, particularly Ayurvedic and Homeopathic units.
He noted that while other capital cities in the northeastern region were
equipped with such facilities, Kohima remains an exception.
- Citing a Ministry directive in 2019, which recommended
setting up of Ayush units in 26-27 cities, Jamir urged the minister to take
immediate action to fill the gap, stressing that it would enhance healthcare
services and meet the expectations of the beneficiaries in the region.
- Another letter stated that during a recent visit to the CGHS
Wellness Centre in Kohima, he had observed a severe shortage of staff with only
two permanent employees currently serving against the three sanctioned posts.
He recommended increasing the sanctioned strength to at least eight to include
more medical officers, pharmacists, support staff and administrative personnel.
- Additionally, he pointed out that no local hospitals are
empanelled with the CGHS due to low CGHS rates and the absence of adequately
equipped facilities. He proposed a revision in CGHS rates especially for the
northeastern states to make empanelment more attractive to private hospitals in
the region.
- Jamir further sought timely intervention by the ministry,
given the government’s stated vision of improving healthcare services in the
northeastern region. He expressed hope that his concerns would receive serious
consideration and that necessary action would be taken at the earliest for the
welfare of the people of Nagaland.
