Why Nagaland’s health care facilities are a cause of concern
In the recent statement made by the Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare, P Longon, about the health care facility centres in Nagaland, he admitted that despite having 566 health care centres in the state, the health care delivery system is far from being satisfactory.
Longon may be true to a certain extent if we look at the points summarized below:
Corruption in the healthcare sector:
It is known that the most corrupted sector in India is the Medical and Health service sector. The problem of corruption in healthcare is multidimensional in nature. For instance, it may involve in construction of health centres/hospitals, purchase of instruments, supply of medicines and goods, over-billing in insurance claims and even appointment of healthcare professionals. According to the CBHI, Nagaland was listed as 7th among the states spending the most on healthcare in the country, but in 2012-13, it was reported to have spent a whooping Rs 377 crores. And yet, the healthcare scenario seems to be contradicting. There is less or no availability of healthcare equipments, medicines and proper infrastructures, let alone the shortage of doctors and specialists and other technicians.
No proper healthcare infrastructure:
Healthcare infrastructure in Nagaland needs to be examined and revived to meet the much need medical attention of the people. Poor sanitation and hygiene in most district hospitals have proved to be one of the drawbacks in development of health care centres in the State.
Shortage of medical professionals:
Nagaland has less than 500 doctors, including 98 specialists serving a population of 2 million. The acute shortage of health professionals in the state, which includes pediatricians, obstetricians, surgeons and also professionals radiographers, lab technicians and pharmacists have taken a toll in providing proper healthcare.
Rural healthcare centers:
Another constrain of development of the healthcare centres is that, most doctors do not want to go to the rural areas. Not just because of the low salary and little incentive but also because of lack of equipments and supplies for clinical diagnosis and treatment, lack of proper housing, water supply and electricity and also for personal security due to insurgency. The lack of educational facilities for children and job opportunity for spouse also proves to be a difficult task to carry.
One Government, no opposition:
With no opposition party to raise questions against the issues crippling the development of the society, or in this case, the healthcare sector, you know where its heading.
(TNT news)
