Sukhato flags Nagaland’s unhealthy doctor-to-population ratio

DIMAPUR — The doctor-to-population ratio in respect of Nagaland presently stands at 1:4056 (one doctor per 4056 persons), according to Dr. Sukhato A Sema, a retired health official and now a legislator in the current PDA government.

Speaking as the special guest at the annual conference-cum-general body meeting of the Nagaland In-service Doctor’s Association (NIDA) at Chümoukedima on Saturday, Sukhato reminded that the World Health Organization recommends a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:1000, while the Indian Public Health Standards’ recommendation is 1:2500.

He said that the ideal doctor-to-population ratio in respect of Nagaland, as per the 2011 Census, should be 1:1979.

According to him, there were 390 Nagaland government doctors as of 2022. He said that in every 100-bed hospital, especially the district hospitals, there should be a minimum of 29 doctors.

Sukhato also suggested that NIDA should work out the needs of the public in terms of hospitals and manpower—doctors, nurses, and paramedical workers—meticulously and factually, including the service rules to be at par with the other cadres like IAS, IFS, IPS, NCS, etc.

He urged the association to request the state government to provide basic amenities like quarters for medical officers, nursing staff, and other paramedical staff.

With regard to recruitment policy, he said that the Health department should also have a separate recruitment committee similar to that of the department of Higher Education.

He also mentioned that whenever there is a public-private partnership venture with any company or organisation, members of the NIDA should keep a vigilant eye to check whether the MoU is for the benefit of the patients or not.

If such ventures are not beneficial to the patients, he said that the NIDA is the right forum to raise a voice and get things corrected before it is too late.

Sukhato reminded that NIDA’s vision is to provide quality healthcare: easily accessible, affordable, and acceptable to all, “with inclusiveness all round.”

“Our mission is prevention, control, and management of communicable, non-communicable, and lifestyle diseases; disaster management; healthy, pollution-free environment; and nurturing a mindset among the public to identify health needs and utilise health services by implementing various national health programmes.

“The strategy is by adopting primary healthcare approach based on the principles of equity, cross-sectoral co-ordination and community participation,” he said.