Dimapur, 10 September (MTNews): The All India Peoples Science Network (AIPSN), in partnership with OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Guwahati, organized a four-day Regional Capacity Building Workshop on Health Policy, Financing, and the Right to Health for North East States in Dimapur from 7 to 10 September 2023.
Over 40 participants from six states in the region, namely Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura, attended the workshop. The event featured approximately 20 resource persons from across the country, including academicians, activists, and civil society representatives.
The first day began with a welcome song, followed by an inaugural session with special guest Dr Limatula Aier, CMOH, Dimapur, Department of Health, Government of Nagaland. The welcome address was delivered by Najeeb Ahmed, Convenor, AIPSN Coordination Committee. Asha Misra, General Secretary, AIPSN, spoke about the need for a health rights campaign in the region, emphasizing the poor health conditions in the North East and the importance of addressing them from a rights perspective.
Throughout the workshop, various sessions covered topics such as the right to health, mental health, the rights of vulnerable sections of the population, health systems, barriers to accessing universal healthcare, and healthcare financing.
On Day 2, a panel discussion addressed health issues and challenges specific to the North Eastern states, involving key figures from the region. The following sessions focused on inequity and social determinants of health, followed by a discussion of government data sources relevant to health rights advocacy.
Day 3 covered healthcare financing and universal health coverage, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the public health system. Participants also visited a district hospital in Dimapur to gain insights into government healthcare facilities.
A session included a presentation by students of Herbert Spencer School, Dimapur, who showcased traditional attire from different Naga tribes. The day ended with a panel discussion on communication strategies for health rights activism.
The concluding day featured a skit on health and health rights, presentations from group work outlining demands on health issues, communication strategies, and community mobilization plans. The workshop ended with a press conference and discussions on the way forward in advancing health rights in the North East region, highlighting the importance of building a health movement and strengthening state chapters of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan.
Prominent activists and leaders stressed the need for collective responsibility in ensuring the right to health for all in the North East. The workshop concluded with a song sung by Toshi Jamir.