Rengma student body demands upgrade of CHC Tseminyu to District Hospital

DIMAPUR — The Rengma Selo Zi (RSZ) has requested the government of Nagaland to upgrade the Community Health Centre (CHC) Tseminyu to a full-fledged District Hospital, citing lack of healthcare facilities in the district.

In a representation to the Commissioner and Secretary of the Nagaland Health and Family Welfare department, the apex youth organisation of the Rengma community sought urgent attention, saying that “the health and well-being of the residents of Tseminyu District depend critically on this upgrade”.

The organisation stated that it has become paramount to upgrade the only CHC in Tseminyu, which was declared the 13th district of Nagaland in December 2021, to a District Hospital in order to provide comprehensive and specialised healthcare services to the people.

It also stressed the dire need for adequate facilities and manpower, including full-fledged medical officers, nurses and technical experts, to meet the healthcare demands of the district, saying that the CHC is currently understaffed with only one medical officer, that too on contract.

The student body went on to lament lack of infrastructure at the CHC Tseminyu, saying that it is “insufficient to support essential medical equipment and services”.

“Immediate construction and enhancement of facilities are required to accommodate vital healthcare resources and ensure the provision of quality medical care,” it stated.

Also highlighting the geographic and demographic aspects, the RSZ said the district, predominantly inhabited by the Rengma Nagas, spans 256 square kilometres and has a population of 63,269 as per the 2011 census.

“The healthcare infrastructure needs to be upgraded to cater to the daily needs of this community, which has long been deprived of adequate healthcare services,” it said.

Pointing put that the National Highway-2 stretch from Botsa to Wokha district is an accident-prone area, it said “the lack of a well-equipped hospital in Tseminyu significantly hampers emergency response and the ability to save lives during accidents and critical situations”.

“Historically, the Rengmas have faced substantial neglect in terms of basic healthcare facilities. The absence of a fully functional hospital means residents often have to travel great distances to access necessary medical services, exacerbating health issues and leading to preventable complications,” read the representation.

The RSZ went on to state that upgrading the CHC to a District Hospital would bring significant long-term health benefits, including improved maternal and child health services, advanced diagnostic facilities, specialised medical care, and overall better health outcomes for the community.

“We trust that you will consider our earnest request and take prompt action to upgrade CHC Tseminyu to a District Hospital, thereby significantly enhancing healthcare services for the residents of Tseminyu district,” it added.