The Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) has called for urgent reforms in the state’s health sector, citing a widening gap between vacancies and recruitment, persistent infrastructural deficiencies, and the need to strengthen medical education and institutional accountability.
The appeal came during NIDA’s Annual Conference and General Body Meeting held on October 24 at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, under the theme ”Building a Resilient Health System.” S Tainiu, NCS, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, and Dr Mereninla Senlem, Principal Director, DHFW, were the special invitees at the inaugural session.
Doctors as ‘guardians of health’
In her keynote address, Tainiu elaborated on the theme, emphasizing that a resilient health system must be “robust, adaptable, and people-centered.” She said doctors are the “guardians of health” and form the backbone of a healthy community through their knowledge, dedication, and compassion.
Underscoring the four timeless principles of medical ethics – autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice – she said these remain the foundation of trust between doctors and society. “For a doctor, the most important tool is the stethoscope, but besides that, kindness and empathy are vital,” she remarked, adding that while technology continues to advance, “it cannot replace the human touch in healthcare.”
Challenges of a strained system
Principal Director Dr Mereninla Senlem, in her exhortation, acknowledged the persistent challenges facing Nagaland’s healthcare system, including resource shortages and repeated health crises such as COVID-19, dengue, and Japanese Encephalitis outbreaks.
Despite these hardships, she praised the state’s in-service doctors for their “resilience, dignity, and compassion,” which she said have sustained the system’s strength. Recalling her experiences from visits to health facilities, Dr Senlem commended the teamwork and mentorship within the medical community but noted that “some units still lack ownership and collective responsibility,” calling for renewed cooperation across all levels.
Gathered under the banner of NIDA, she urged doctors to continue advocating for reforms while supporting one another’s well-being and growth. “The human side of healthcare – listening, compassion, and presence – defines the profession more than any policy,” she said.
‘Resilience is not built overnight’
In his presidential address, NIDA President Dr Thomas Keppen led members in paying tribute to Late Dr Imtiwabang Aier, Joint Director, who passed away on June 28, 2025. Describing him as a man of service and courage, the congregation observed a minute of silence in his memory.
Dr Keppen thanked members for their trust and collective effort toward the association’s progress. He described this year’s theme as ”not just timely – it is imperative.” ”Health infrastructure, workforce, and policies must evolve to meet growing public demands, but resilience is not built overnight-it is forged through strategic planning, collective action, and unwavering commitment to public service,” he said.
He highlighted that in-service doctors remain the backbone of primary healthcare in Nagaland, yet recruitment into the health services “remains disproportionately low, even as vacancies rise.” He urged the Department of Health and Family Welfare to address this gap “with urgency and foresight.”
Dr Keppen also stressed the need to streamline the Medical Education Directorate and define its mandate clearly, saying that a well-structured body would improve coordination, accountability, and the quality of medical education in the state.
He pointed out that infrastructural gaps – particularly lack of staff quarters and basic amenities – are “not luxuries but foundational requirements” to retain and motivate the healthcare workforce. “Our policies must align with resources,” he said, adding that the association must move from crisis response to proactive planning through innovation and strategic clarity.
“To continue and uphold the Hippocratic Oath not just in words but in action,” he said, “we must build a health system that is not only resilient but also compassionate, inclusive, and future-ready.”
Emerging challenges and recognition
Speaking on the conference theme, Joint Director Dr Kika Longkumer highlighted the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and childhood obesity, while some areas still grapple with malnutrition – reflecting Nagaland’s complex and evolving health landscape. He called for sustained attention to systemic reform and innovation in building robust healthcare infrastructure.
During the secretarial report, NIDA General Secretary Dr Visietsolie Vupru felicitated Dr Vezokholu Theyo (Retd. Director) and Dr Hentok Phom (Joint Director) for receiving the Governor’s Award on the 76th Republic Day. He also presented an overview of the association’s activities and ongoing projects.
The conference was chaired by Dr Zaiwang Zeliang, Joint Secretary, NIDA, with a special song “Heal the World” presented by the College of Nursing, Kohima. The business session held in the afternoon was moderated by Dr Puse Leigise, Dr Bernard Amer, Dr Thomas Keppen, Dr K Akaho Sema, and Dr Visietsolie Vupru.