Nagaland: Congress slams government over ongoing healthcare crisis

The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has raised serious concerns about the state of healthcare in Nagaland, citing a severe shortage of essential medical equipment and personnel. Addressing the media on March 24, Meshenlo Kath, chairperson of the Public Grievances Department (PGD) of NPCC, highlighted the lack of vital equipment such as CT scan machines and mammograms at government hospitals, particularly the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK).

“We had urged the Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima, to restore CT scan and mammogram facilities. However, to this day, these essential services remain non-functional,” Kath said. He pointed out that the absence of these services had forced patients to seek treatment in private hospitals or travel long distances for critical diagnostic tests. Kath further questioned, “How long will this continue?” noting that “People from other districts come to Kohima for treatment, and since the NHAK does not have CT scan, the patients are referred to some private hospitals.”

Kath also criticized the government’s slow progress, questioning why Nagaland, which attained statehood before other northeastern states, continues to lag behind in healthcare infrastructure.

“Nagaland is one of the first states in the Northeast to have received statehood. Still, our health sector is not progressing effectively as others, and we have to go to other Northeast states,” he remarked.

Kath raised concerns about the lack of healthcare personnel in the state, highlighting that 57 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) operate without a single doctor. “There are 57 primary health centres without a single doctor,” he said. He also criticized the government’s failure to advertise doctor and nurse vacancies for years, claiming, “For many years, the government has not advertised the posts of doctors or nurses. There is shortage of doctors, but they will put the blame on the public or associations or unions for not letting the Special Recruitment Drive to happen. But it is of their own doing.”

NPCC communications chairperson Yanger Longkumer echoed these concerns, stating, “In an age of technological advancement in the medical field, Nagaland does not even have the most basic equipment.” He pointed out that while private hospitals might have the necessary equipment, the majority of Nagaland’s population lives in rural areas, where healthcare infrastructure is often lacking. “It is the duty of the government that basic infrastructure and utilities are given,” Longkumer added.

Both leaders stressed the urgent need for reforms and accountability from the government. Kath urged the state cabinet to take immediate action, saying, “The government should sit and come up with resolutions to make way for vacancies to be filled if they are serious enough.” He also assured the public, “I would suggest to the public that if there is any lacking in their towns/districts, inform us, and we will take up the issue.”

The Congress party’s call for action comes at a time when healthcare conditions are critical, with widespread implications for the well-being of the state’s residents, particularly those in rural and remote areas.

MT