The launching programme of first 1000 Days of Intervention under National helath Mission was held at Hotel De Oriental Grand Kohima on 20th April 2023 in the presence of Minister of Health and Family Welfare P. Paiwang Konyak as the special guest and Commissioner and Secretary DoHFW, Y. Kikheto Sema as the Guest of Honour of the programme.
Speaking on the occasion the P. Paiwang highlighted on the importance of Antenatal Care and Delivery at Hospitals, Nutritional support, Breast feeding, importance of vaccination etc. As parents and families, we are expected to have good knowledge about the 1000 days of a child’s life and utilize this knowledge for the betterment of the child’s future since this period covers the growth of the child’s physical, mental and intellectual development, he said. He said that this knowledge will also help the parents about good child- upbringing practices which will improve the thinking and stimulate the brain development of a child and thereby reach their full potential. He said that the critical intervention or services like antenatal Care, hospital delivery, timely vaccination etc are available in health Facility centers, and also during the village Health and Nutrition Days so the parents must avail the full advantage of the services he said.
He also encouraged all the District Health officers led by the CMO to be committed to this noble cause to ensure that all the services must reach to the last villages of Nagaland. Medical department is also on a pilot project on “Birth Waiting Home” at Mon and Kiphire district to encourage institutional delivery under the care of skilled health providers and safety of the mother and child to reduce morbidity and mortality he said. The three blood banks in Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung must have blood available at all times. Towards this intensive blood donation awareness campaign will be held and Paiwang urged the citizens to come forward and donate blood to save the lives of many. He called upon all to make an honest commitment to ensure that our children get all the possible support especially in these First 1000 Days for a brighter future.
Y. Kikheto Sema mentioned that the 1000 days are the most critical time for positive impact on a child’s cognitive and physical development. He also mentioned that this period lays the overall foundation of a child’s future, 80% of brain growth happens during this period, the foundation for Optimum Health, growth and neuro-development across the lifespan is determined during the first 1000 days and is a massive opportunity to shape a child’s future. The interventions essential in the first 1000 days are Quality Ante-natal care, Hospital delivery, Breast feeding, Full vaccination, Nutrition for children and mothers and Early Childhood development he added. Nagaland has the lowest coverage of ANC, institutional delivery and vaccination in the country; some reasons for the low coverage include traditional beliefs/ customs, ANC check-up and Geographical barriers – distance to facility and road conditions, he added.
Dr. Longri Kichu UNICEF gave an introduction on the First 1000 Days, Dr. Supongmeren, Gynaecologist DH Mokokchung, spoke on the importance of antenatal care and delivery at hospitals, Dept. of Social welfare gave a presentation on PMMVY Scheme & Nutritional support during the first 1000 days while Dr. Ruutuo-u Sorhie Consultant Pediatrician NHAK spoke on Breast feeding: the complete nutrition & early childhood development. Dr. Sheila Longkumer spoke on Importance of vaccination in children. NSRLM gave a presentation on SBCC through SHG institution and Dr. Khelito Zhimomi SPO, RCH spoke on village health sanitation and nutrition day.
(Thungti Chang IA)
