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Much is written and said about the failures and mismanagements of the government, and what could have been done. This is vital to checkmate government excesses. The task of pointing out the failures of the government shouldn’t be left to the Opposition party alone; the public should play its part as well. The right to criticise and dissent is the essence of a vibrant democracy. Having said that, focusing too much on trivial non-issues and turning a blind eye to achievements, be it by the government or collectively by the people can be counterproductive. It is important to acknowledge developmental activities and chalk out ways to sustain completed projects. One of the sectors that have witnessed a noticeable improvement in Nagaland over the last couple of years is healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the hollowness of India’s public healthcare system, but for Nagaland, the situation demanded a complete overhaul due to abject lack of facilities, which was the outcome of decades of neglect. The pandemic knocked a sense of need for a robust healthcare system into the minds of lawmakers and public alike. Healthcare in the state may not be the best in the country but we can’t deny the fact that it is in a much better position today- in fact a huge leap from what was seen before the pandemic. The district hospitals and community health centres have been upgraded, including installation of virology laboratories across the state. The state government has said that the much-awaited Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) in Kohima will begin the first academic session this year and another medical college is coming up in Mon district, for which the foundation stone has already been laid. The completion of these institutes will not only be beneficial for the people but also bridge the trust deficit.
Another significant development in the state’s healthcare system is the launch of 10-bedded intensive care unit wards across 12 districts and a Tele-ICU Hub at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio earlier this month. This is a commendable development, especially for the rural population that have been deprived of basic healthcare services all these years. However, these facilities will be rendered useless in the absence of medical experts. So, the government should ensure that all the hospitals have adequate manpower. The Tele-ICU Hub, which is like a stopgap arrangement to address lack of specialists in the state, requires technological support in order to provide real-time medical advice and consultation. It will be a challenge to provide uninterrupted high-speed internet connections in remote areas but it is something the Central and state governments should seriously work on, not only for the operation of the Tele-ICU Hub but also to enable the people to avail government schemes, study materials, etc., besides accessing general information. It is worth investing in healthcare sector, as making critical health services available at district headquarters will save lives and strengthen the economy. The facilities will help people from neighbouring states as well and boost medical tourism.