Kohima, May 24 (MTNews): Minister of Health & Family Welfare P Paiwang Konyak, accompanied by Commissioner & Secretary, Y Kikheto Sema IAS, held a meeting with V Hekali Zhimomi, Additional Secretary and Director General of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in Delhi on May 24. The meeting focused on important matters pertaining to Medical College, HIV & AIDS, Nursing College, and Tobacco Control.
During the meeting, the Minister expressed gratitude to the Ministry and the NMC (National Medical Commission) for granting a Letter of Permission (LOP) for the establishment of NIMSR Kohima. He sought continuous support as the state plans to commence the first academic session in the current year, 2023-24. Minister Konyak also requested the Ministry to consider recognizing the Mon Medical College as a Regional Institute under the Central Government, as there is currently no institution of national or regional importance in Nagaland.
Paiwang also expressed gratitude to the Ministry for approving the upgradation of three Nursing Schools to Nursing Colleges at the District Hospitals of Dimapur, Kohima, and Mokokchung. He requested further support to establish additional nursing colleges in the state through public-private partnership (PPP) mode.
Commissioner & Secretary Y Kikheto Sema appreciated the Ministry’s assistance in HIV & AIDS control efforts. Recognizing that Nagaland has the second-highest prevalence of HIV & AIDS, Sema mentioned a new initiative in collaboration with the State GIS cell, which involves using drones for timely delivery of drugs and equipment. He urged the Ministry to approve the procurement of drones under the new innovative scheme.
Additionally, Sema highlighted that Nagaland ranks second in tobacco consumption and recently declared all government and private hospitals and schools in the state as Tobacco-Free Zones.
Hekali Zhimomi, Director General of NACO, appreciated the recent initiatives taken by the state government to raise awareness about AIDS and HIV. She recommended strengthening surveillance, treatment, and preventive measures, assuring the Ministry’s support in these endeavors. Zhimomi also commended the efforts made to promote awareness of tobacco-related hazards and the declaration of Tobacco-Free Zones in healthcare institutions and schools. She suggested collaborating with NGOs working in the field to achieve the desired goals.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from both sides to continue working closely together to address the identified healthcare challenges and promote the well-being of the people of Nagaland.