Mokokchung, September 7 (MTNews): A state level program on Medical Certification Cause of Death (MCCD) & Affordable Cancer Care Project was launched at Hotel Vivor, Kohima by Chief Secretary, J. Alam, IAS, on September 7, 2022 where Dr. Ravikant Singh, Officer in Charge HBCH & RC, stated that, for the 1st phase, they have identified Kohima and Mokokchung districts as their “targeted intervention” where they will train all the medical staff on cancer screening process.
He also stated that along with the Health & Family Welfare Department, they will be setting up some chemotherapy centers in the State. The program was jointly organized by Tata Memorial Center, Department of Health & Family Welfare and Department of Economics & Statistics.
Singh in his keynote address also said that Tata Memorial Center is under the Department of Atomic Energy and is financially supported by CDC Foundation, USA.
Speaking on the importance of MCCD, he said that the information on MCCD through death certificates is of considerable use to public health planners, administrators, medical professionals and research workers.
“MCCD is used in the assessment of the effectiveness of public health programs. It is feedback for better health planning and management as well as for deciding priorities of health and medical research programs,” he said.
The Chief Secretary, while speaking on affordable healthcare, said that in many places, since high out-of-pocket expenditure is incurred by families, people are pushed to poverty while getting treatment for major diseases is a relevant problem in Nagaland.
“But through various insurance based schemes there is a gradual movement towards Universal Health Care system” he stated and hoped that Nagaland would be one of the first States to have this system.
Alam also mentioned that affordability becomes a major issue, therefore, facilities with low cost health care and cancer care should be made available for the benefit of the citizens. He further said that since Nagaland has a high number of cancer patients, it is necessary that cancer care facilities be set up in the State and requested the Tata Memorial Center to set up a unit which could be a part of a District hospital or a part of the upcoming medical college.
In terms of MCCD, the Chief Secretary hoped that the program would help in sensitizing people about the importance of issuing death certificates which will help analyze the health trends of the State and will lead to evidence based decision making.
The Chief Secretary also highlighted the major steps taken by the State Government in improving health facilities in the State in the last few years and the support provided by the Central Government in this regard.
Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Asangla Imti said that mortality statistics is essential for better planning, management of programs, formulation of policies and for undertaking controlled measures in an effective and planned manner.
“Any planned activities can be successful if only the statistical information is authentic and correct,” she said.
She also said that Nagaland is at the bottom among the states in India as per MCCD report. She added that only through framing of a successful MCCD policy, the State can frame a robust health policy.
Further, as per the data of cancer control program, the cases of cancer are alarmingly increasing in the State and cancer treatment is expensive and prevention and early detection becomes very important to ease the financial burden of the patient. Therefore she hopes that through the two programs launched would be vital for Nagaland.
Dr. V. Khamo, Consultant, Naga Hospital, gave a brief presentation of pilot study on implementation of MCCD, and Commissioner & Secretary, Economics & Statistics, KevilenoAngami presented a short remark on the importance of data collection of birth and death certificates, while Director of Economics & Statistics, Neidilhou Angami delivered the vote of thanks.
The Chief Secretary also launched two booklets on: Training Manual for Doctors, Affordable Cancer Care, and Manual on Medical Certification of Cause Of Death.