Nagaland Chief Minister launches projects supported by Boeing India, Doctors for You

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday launched Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Boeing India and Doctors for You (DFY) projects at Chief Minister Residential Complex in Kohima, with focus on providing quality healthcare in six districts.

Under the initiative, Model Labour Room (MLR) in six Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) namely: CHC Pungro in Kiphire, PHC Angpang in Mon, CHC Tamlu in Longleng, CHC Tuli in Mokokchung, CHC Aghunato in Zunheboto and PHC Botsa in Kohima, will be initially taken up for piloting.

The Boeing India and DFY also donated ambulance and digital X-ray and ultrasound machines to PHC Botsa. The same equipment will also be given to the remaining PHCs/CHCs in the future.

A memorandum of understanding or association was also signed between the Nagaland government and DFY with an aim to expand public health system strengthening work in the state. The association will be for a term of 10 years, it was informed.

Speaking during the occasion, Rio said that through the partnership, DFY will be assisting the government in bringing quality, low-cost or free basic healthcare services to the people of the state, supported by quality healthcare, education and training, as well as doorstep access to cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment services.

“Healthcare is a cornerstone of our governmental policy for Nagaland, with a focus on maternal and child health, education and access to primary medical services to all,” said the chief minister.

He added that MLR is a visionary project that will improve the quality of healthcare, especially maternal and child healthcare services.

He also requested the Boeing India and DFY to provide training and workshop programmes on how to maintain the equipment and facilities. 

‘The health infrastructure at the time of statehood in 1963 was abysmal. Today, public health facilities have increased to 771, comprising various categories of health facilities: District hospitals -11, SMHI – 1, TB and CDH – 2, CHC – 35, PHC – 42, SHC – 1, BD – 2, and SC – 577,’ Rio informed.

He also lauded Boeing India for supporting the state through the partnership with DFY and providing the much-needed resources for the public health system strengthening work in the state.

Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Y Kikheto Sema, described the CSR initiative as a major step towards addressing infrastructure and manpower gap in order to deliver quality healthcare to the rural areas.

Dr. Rajat Jain, President of Doctors for You, informed that the organisation entered the Northeast India in 2012 and currently functioning in five of the region, including Nagaland.

He added they ‘not only establish projects but also see how it is making impact on lives of the people.