Nagaland Health Department explores digital health solutions with WHO Adviser

The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, organized a two-day meeting with Karthik Adapa, IAS, Regional Adviser for Digital Health at WHO, SEARO, from April 2 to 4 at the IDSP Conference Hall, Kohima. The discussions aimed at exploring innovative digital health solutions to improve the state’s healthcare infrastructure.

The meeting, presided over by Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Nagaland, Anoop Kinchi, IAS, was attended by senior officials from the department and key stakeholders from the healthcare and digital health sectors.

On April 2, Karthik Adapa engaged in discussions with officials from the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, focusing on the “implementation and scalability of free open-source digital health solutions, including electronic health records, telemedicine platforms, and health data management systems.” The discussions emphasized the need to enhance healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and resource management across Nagaland.

Dr Adapa highlighted the importance of “standards and interoperability” in digital health, stressing that fragmented digital systems could “hinder effective data sharing and coordination.” He also pointed out the significance of accessibility and cost-effectiveness of open-source platforms for a resource-limited region like Nagaland.

The second day of the meeting, April 3, included field visits to key health facilities, including the Nagaland Health Authority Kohima (NHAK) and Seikhazou Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC). These visits allowed participants to assess the existing infrastructure and digital health initiatives. Officials observed “firsthand the current capabilities and limitations” of these healthcare facilities.

Following the site visits, discussions resumed at the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, where stakeholders, including representatives from NGOs, explored advanced technologies such as Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The potential of AI-driven solutions to “enhance diagnostics, streamline hospital management, and improve medical research” was discussed at length.

Later, officials visited the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) to further examine the role of digital health solutions in improving medical research and healthcare delivery in the region.

On April 4, the delegation proceeded to Dimapur, where they toured the District Hospital Dimapur, evaluating its infrastructure, medical equipment, and patient care services. They also visited the Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research (CIHSR) to assess its medical research, training programs, and healthcare technologies.

The two-day meeting concluded with an emphasis on the need for “sustainable digital health solutions tailored to Nagaland’s specific challenges.” The discussions paved the way for potential collaborations between the state’s health department, WHO, and other stakeholders to integrate digital health advancements into Nagaland’s healthcare system.

MT