Rural health centres in shambles, says Nagaland legislator

Our Reporter
Dimapur, June 14 (EMN): Primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs) are supposed to provide basic health services to people living in rural areas but it has emerged that many such centres in Nagaland are failing to provide treatment, care and support to those in need.

The advisor for Horticulture and Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan, found out during his recent tour of 39 Sanis Assembly Constituency that rural health centres are in shambles.

The legislator updated that he toured his constituency -- 39 Sanis – on June 8 and the 9th, and visited Sungro PHC, Lakhuti PHC, Sanis CHC and Moilan PHC to check the healthcare facilities, health service delivery system and preparedness in fighting the pandemic.

‘It pained me to share that other PHCs in our constituency are not any better,’ he shared in an update on social media.

“There are five CHC/PHCs and 14 Sub-Centres in my constituency, out of which only two have slight semblance of a hospital. The rest, including many of the sub-centres are in utter disarray,” Yanthan updated.

“I'm unashamed to highlight the backwardness of my area as we cannot remain oblivious to people's suffering and let it go on perpetually. We have attained 58 years of statehood and yet, look at where we still stand. I'm not ashamed because it is only from our weakness and inadequacies that we can come to realisation and awareness towards building a better future," he added.

The deficiencies of our health centres, he said, are a result of years of neglect by successive governments.

“I have taken up this issue with the concerned department umpteen times at various levels ever since I assumed my present responsibility. Keeping in mind that this issue cannot be addressed within a short time; I’m determined to see this change so let's wait and hope for better days ahead,” he continued.

When Eastern Mirror contacted a few PHCs and CHCs in the region to know the ground reality, staff refused provide details and divulge information on the facilities and working atmosphere.

However, sources said that there is not a single ambulance for the whole 39 Sanis Assembly Constituency and some of the health centres are functioning from makeshifts. Full sanctioned strength (manpower) are not posted but whoever has been posted are in station and performing their duties, the source added.

The medical officer of Lakhuti told Eastern Mirror that the Lakhuti PHC was abandoned and the doctors’ quarters was functioning as the PHC.

He said the PHC was abandoned as the location was not viable and difficult to maintain because of various valid reason. With the doctors’ quarters being converted into a PHC, he said he was accommodated at the village council hall which has network connectivity issue. 

“If I come back home after duty, another inconvenience of poor network comes up and I have no means of communication even if an emergency comes up,” he lamented.

There was also inadequate supply of medicines at the PHC with the required drugs not available, it was informed.

According to the MO, the village council and the Church co-ordinate well and have come to the rescue of the PHC; also advisor Yanthan who have provided required health facilities.

The medical officer said that he at times contributes from his own savings. 

“As the second largest village in Wokha district, Lakhuti PHC does not even have an ambulance. Adding to this concern, the road condition is horrible, making it more difficult for the commuters during the monsoon season. The nearest upgraded health centre is at Sanis CHC but no villagers want to go there because of the road condition,” he said.

Also, the PHC has just one ANM nurse and the MO.

The minimum requirement at the health centre is three nurses but two nurses were recently transferred with no replacement till date, he said.