The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland officially launched the Naga Tele-health platform on 9th September 2020 at a virtual launch programme with Minister of Health and Family Welfare, S.Pangnyu Phom as the special guest. The Naga Tele Health is a virtual platform where patients can avail the services of doctors and specialists at the comfort of their home virtually without having the need to visit any health centres. The Naga Tele Health has been launched keeping in mind the difficulties faced by patients in receiving proper medical facilities owing to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The Naga Tele Health has been launched in partnership with USAID NISHTHA-Jhpiego to ensure that even the people living in the most remote places have access to qualified medical practitioners and specialists.

S.Pangnyu Phom speaking at the virtual launch programme said that the Naga Telehealth was a very important initiative and vital in providing quality and affordable health care facilities to everyone in Nagaland regardless of where they live. He also thanked the USAID, NISHTHA-Jhpiego for supporting the initiative.

Sangita Patel, Director, Health Office, USAID also spoke during the Launch and expressed her enthusiasm over the partnership and highlighted the importance of web based health facilities and the need for proper access to health services across the state.

Secretary Health and Family Welfare Government of Nagaland in his message said that in these unprecedented times of Covid-19, technology has played a crucial role in keeping us all connected and tele medicine has provided an enabling tool to maintain patient continuity and patient management. He further mentioned that through Telehealth and telemedicine the department would be able to bring quality health and wellness closer to the communities.

In his keynote address Dr.Kevichusa Medikhru, mission director NHM, gave a brief introduction about the Tele health platform and its working procedures.

(Morotsung Longchar IA)