Expert stresses the need to improve diagnostic services

KOHIMA — Pointing out the paradigm shift in the health sector, Dr. Raj Prabha Moktan, director of Regional Resource Centre (RRC) for northeastern states, on Thursday emphasised the need for improvement in diagnostic services in healthcare centres.

She was addressing a one-day training on free diagnostic services for laboratory technicians in Nagaland organised by the National Health Mission (NHM), Nagaland, in collaboration with the Regional Resource Centre for NE states (a branch of NHSRC, New Delhi) at the conference hall of the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare in Kohima.

Emphasising the importance of training, she has appreciated NHM of Nagaland for coordinating with the RRC-NE and stated that lab facilities and trained lab technicians are crucial aspects.

She pointed out that a paradigm shift is happening across the country including in Nagaland with regards to infection or communicable diseases and high mortality rates. She said the focus now is on non-communicable diseases (NCD).

She mentioned that around 59% of mortality in the country is accounted to NCD such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and cirrhosis (liver disease), while about 28% to maternal and child diseases and 10% to accidental reasons.

Emphasising the change in the whole health infrastructure in the state, she stressed the need for improvement in diagnostic services in the PHC, district hospital and community health centres.

She pointed out that sub-centres in Nagaland currently handle about 10 diagnostic cases against the requirement of 14, while PHC handle 40 cases against the requirement of 63.

Also read: High Court closes PIL after Nagaland government sets up mental health bodies

She urged the state department of Health and Family Welfare to expand screening to NCD, oral and trauma care, ENT and other services. She added that the expansion requires enhanced lab facilities. She further mentioned the possibility of increasing diagnostic facilities with the 15th Finance Commission (FC).

4 per 1000 infant mortality in Nagaland

Dr. Moktan pointed out that Nagaland is one of the few states with a good infant mortality rate of just four per thousand. She stated that it is an important health indicator, reflecting the development index of a state, country or nation.

Informing that the national infant mortality rate is 28 per thousand, she commended Nagaland’s indicator and asserted the need to improve other indicators such as increasing institutional deliveries.

She informed that Nagaland with a population more than 19 lakhs has more than 500 healthcare facilities across 1,638 recorded villages. In this regard, she commended the communitisation model, which was one of the earliest and best in the country.

Dr. Mereninla Senlem, NHM state programme officer, presented an overview of the Biomedical Equipment Maintenance Programme (BMEMP) and Free Diagnostics Service Initiative (FDSI), status and availability of laboratory services.

In his welcome address, the principal director of Health department, Dr. E Motsuthung Patton, acknowledged the Regional Resource Centre for NE states for sponsoring the training. He also urged the lab technicians to make the best use of the equipment and learn from the training.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr. Akuo Sorhie, NHM mission director, encouraged the participants to attend the training with all sincerity as their role is vital in advancing the state health delivery system in relation to diagnostic services.

Dr. Seyiechütuo Solo, senior specialist (Pathologist) at NHAK, took a session on the overview of tests under haematology and clinical pathology, sample collection procedures, sample rejection, internal quality control, EQAS among others.

Dr. Lhoukhovi Jau, senior specialist (Biochemistry) at NHAK, also took a session on the overview of tests under biochemistry, sample collection procedures, sample rejection, internal quality control, EQAS among others.