Mokokchung, 20 April (MTNews): “Nagaland has the lowest coverage of antenatal care (ANC), institutional delivery and vaccination in the country,” said Commissioner and Secretary DoHFW, Y Kikheto Sema today.
According to Sema, the reasons behind low coverage included traditional beliefs and customs, geographical barriers such as distance to facility and road conditions. He said this during the launching program of the first 1000 Days of Intervention under National Health Mission (NHM) at Hotel De Oriental Grand Kohima on 20 April.
Speaking as the Guest of Honor, Sema mentioned that the “1000 days are the most critical time for positive impact on a child’s cognitive and physical development.” He also mentioned that this period lays the overall foundation of a child’s future and that 80% of brain growth happens during this period.
“The foundation for optimum health, growth and neurodevelopment across the lifespan is determined during the first 1000 days and is a massive opportunity to shape a child’s future,” he said, adding that quality ante-natal care, hospital delivery, breast feeding, full vaccination, nutrition for children and mothers, and early childhood development are interventions essential in the first 1000 days.
Minister of Health and Family Welfare, P Paiwang Konyak speaking on the occasion as the special guest also highlighted the importance of antenatal care and delivery at hospitals, nutritional support, breast feeding and vaccination.
“As parents and families, we are expected to have good knowledge about the first 1000 days of a child’s life and utilize this knowledge for the betterment of the child’s future since this period covers the growth of the child’s physical, mental and intellectual development,” the minister said.
He said that this knowledge will help the parents in upbringing the child with good practices, will improve thinking and stimulate the brain development of a child and thereby help reach their full potential.
Stating that services like antenatal care, hospital delivery, timely vaccination etc are critical interventions, he urged the parents to avail the full advantage of the services in health facility centers, and also during the village Health and Nutrition Days.
In this regard, he encouraged all the district health officers led by the CMO to be committed and ensure that all the services reach to the last villages of Nagaland.
“The medical department is on a pilot project on “Birth Waiting Home” at Mon and Kiphire district in order to encourage institutional delivery under the care of skilled health providers and safety of the mother and child to reduce morbidity and mortality,” the minister informed.
Speaking on the need for blood banks, the Minister suggested that the three blood banks in Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung must have blood available at all times and that an intensive blood donation awareness campaign should be held.
He also urged the citizens to come forward and donate blood to save the lives of many and called upon all to make an honest commitment to ensure that our children get all the possible support especially in these First 1000 Days for a brighter future.
Dr Longri Kichu UNICEF gave an introduction on the First 1000 Days; Dr Supongmeren, Gynaecologist DH Mokokchung, spoke on the importance of antenatal care and delivery at hospitals.
Department of Social Welfare gave a presentation on PMMVY Scheme and nutritional support during the first 1000 days while Dr Ruutuo-u Sorhie, Consultant Pediatrician, NHAK spoke on Breast Feeding: The Complete Nutrition & Early Childhood Development. Dr Sheila Longkumer spoke on importance of vaccination in children.
NSRLM gave a presentation on SBCC through SHG institution and Dr Khelito Zhimomi SPO, RCH spoke on village health sanitation and nutrition day.
