Nagaland Merges Health Centers to Boost Neighborhood Care

Kohima: The Nagaland government is merging urban health and wellness centers with existing sub-centres and primary health units. Officials want healthcare within reach. This move aims to provide basic diagnostics at the neighborhood level.

Temjenrenla Kechu, the director of municipal affairs, announced the plan Tuesday in Kohima. She spoke at an orientation event held by her department and the National Health Mission. The state plans to open six more centers this year. Kechu noted that these sites act as the first point of care, even during emergencies. She explained, "The UHWCs are envisioned as the first point of healthcare access at the community level, including during emergencies, with referral linkages to designated polyclinics for specialised services."

New centers will either be built from scratch or housed in rented buildings when land is scarce. Each unit qualifies for a one-time grant of 25 lakh rupees for infrastructure. Another 3 lakh goes toward computer gear and internet access. The program also covers recurring costs like medicine, staff development, and quality control. Local officials and medical officers attended the meeting to learn how to manage these funds effectively.