Longon seeks concerted effort to promote healthcare system

KOHIMA, JUNE 10 : Making an ardent plea to promote the heath care system and further to restore the prestige of the department, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, P. Longon Friday called for a concerted effort from all the concerned stakeholders in the State.

Addressing the annual general body meeting of the Nagaland In-service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) this evening at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, the minister urged for better coordination within the medical fraternity, while he said will definitely transform the public health care system in the State.
“The prestige of the department lies in your hands, so also the good health of the citizens. When the doctor’s fraternity works together in good coordination, you will definitely transform the public health care system of our State; thereby, our people will be become more productive and self-dependent and in return they will uplift the economic condition of our State,” he said stating that “health is an individual’s most precious possession.”

“A new National Health Mission, combining rural and urban areas has commenced in 2013. With this, our country is marching forward to achieve the targeted health policies in delivering better health care to our people,” he added.

Speaking to a host of medical doctors, the minister also appealed every member of NIDA to put more effort and without reservation, to serve the people, especially the under-served areas in Nagaland.

“Every doctor should have a soft corner for people living in far flung areas who are deprived of good health care for decades,” Longon said maintaining that “those doctors serving the underprivileged areas are more privilege taking the challenges in their hands.”

“The public expectation from the doctors is above any other profession. But during the past few years of my tenure as medical minister, many public grievances came to my notice and partially I have seen the deficit during those official tours to various health centres in different cities,” he remarked.

He reminded the doctors of their pledge “service to humanity”, and further urged them not to hesitate, but to come forward and serve the underprivileged people.

“Despite the best efforts being made, there are areas that call clearly for more attention. Though the public health care services in Nagaland is still limited in reaching out to interior areas, we are here together to give patient friendly services to our people. We will not allow the public to plunge into poverty because of lack of medical care, but rather let’s pledge together and give a chance to everyone to enjoy good health,” he urged.

“Nagaland is certainly on a forward march. Working together, we can and will be on a higher status of health and bring positive changes to our people,” he added.

Further, in times of disagreement with the State government, he insisted the doctors not to victimize the sick and needy, but rather to come forward and have an amicable settlement with the concerned authority.

“I believe that you have chosen to undertake this profession because you love medicine and mankind, and that you have a keen interest in caring the sick and needy. Keeping in mind that your profession is regarded as a noble profession by the people, respecting the good faith and trust the people have bestowed upon you is indeed your responsibility,” he reminded the team of doctors.

The minister, on his part, assured to deliver justice while serving the department, while he sought cooperation from all concerned stakeholders, so as to deliver the best possible health care services in the State.

Principal Director of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. L. Watikala Ao in her address, called for the need to revive the department.

Stressing on quality health care services, she urged all the doctors to be more responsible in attending to their duties rather than relaxing in their own discretion.

“We should be more responsible than the other departments, because we are dealing with lives,” she said while making it known her displeasure the way the department is functioning at the moment.

On posting, she questioned as to why everyone wants to be posted in Kohima and Dimapur. To this, she reasoned out the conviction of the medical doctors when they volunteered to serve humanity.

Unhappy with the manner in which many doctors take leave in their own discretion, she directed all the CMOs to inform the deputy commissioner of their respective districts when they are about to take leave. She added that many medical officers also usually take leave without informing their higher ups, that is the CMO.

“All the specialist doctors should be posted in all the districts, rather than being stationed in Kohima and Dimapur,” she added.

The principal director also hit out at the rampant appointments taking place within the department, for which, Watikala also directed all the CMOs not to forward any application where there is no vacancy.

She went on to say that the rampant appointments without post vacancies have deeply affected the salary of the department