Shortage of technical staff; excessive Grade III, IV employees in Health department, says Kikheto Sema

DIMAPUR — The department of Health and Family Welfare (DHFW) has been reeling from shortage of technical employees, while there are excess third and fourth grade employees covering about 65%, said Y Kikheto Sema, Commissioner and Secretary, DHFW on Thursday.

Sema said the Health department has the third highest employees in the state but the non-technical employees cover about 65% and technical employees only about 35%.

‘We have more of third and fourth grade (employees), which is not required much in a department like Health and Family Welfare”, he said, adding that the manpower rationalisation committee is in place and they will be making a statement and bring to the notice of the government necessary action that need to be taken.

He said this during his visit to Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), and Nagaland Police COVID hospital, Chümoukedima to check the preparations for COVID-19.

Medical Superintendent of CIHSR, Dr. Clement Momin said the hospital is prepared with infrastructure and oxygen to respond to any situation, “but there is shortage of nurses”.

Sema responded that the same issue was also raised in Dimapur District Hospital.

High demand of dialysis

Sema observed that the demand for dialysis is “very high” as there are about 80 patients in Dimapur District Hospital and 90 patients in CIHSR, “so we need to address this issue seriously.”

He advised the administrators and doctors to discuss and research about the diseases that are high in the state “as they need to supply where there is demand”.

He encouraged them to educate and bring awareness to the people, educate the youngsters in the fields they can pursue for higher studies, and also bring to the notice of the government.

Prescribe Janaushadhi (generic medicine) for the poor patients

As the government of India has launched the Janaushadhi scheme, Sema appealed to the administrators to advise the doctors to prescribe Janaushadhi medicine (generic medicine) at least for the poor patients, which is “quite cheap and good quality”.

Meanwhile, Dr. Viu Meru, Deputy Director (Admin) CIHSR, informed that they had registered for the scheme but the supply was “very deficient” and only some types of medicines were available in the store. Another issue he mentioned was the shelf life of the medicine, which is “very short” and the inability to return the Janaushadhi drugs unlike the others.

State is well prepared for COVID-19

During his visit to the 200-bedded CIHSR and 100-bedded Nagaland Police COVID hospital, Sema expressed satisfaction with the preparations going on in the state.

He said the state at present has only three active COVID cases with mild symptoms, but in case of any eventuality, he requested the doctors to be ready with their equipment, infrastructure and service.

He opined that COVID-19 was a blessing in disguise for the world in terms of developing the health sector. On the other hand, he said the second wave was one of the darkest periods as people were rushing for oxygen and ICU beds.

He assured that unlike the past where patients were rushing to Kohima and Dimapur, “the ICU beds are available throughout the length and breadth of the state.”

Read: Health dept. urges beneficiaries to avail free COVID-19 vaccine

Meanwhile, as the Nagaland Police COVID hospital remains unused by the hospital authorities, Sema said they should start using the facilities for other patients since there is no COVID case in the district.

He went on to state that after they start utilising the facility, they can accordingly propose for more manpower, if the issue arises.

He stated that since the infrastructure is good and ready, the department “offers the Home department to utilise the 100-bedded hospital, equipped with oxygen as a district hospital even if there is no COVID.”