By Dr Asangba Tzudir
Nagaland’s healthcare system is going through a crisis that can no longer be considered as temporary or peripheral. The real shortages of doctors, specialists, and trained medical staff across district hospitals, community health centres, and primary health centres reveal a system running under strain at every level. When essential services are compromised due to lack of personnel, the consequences ripples across thereby affecting maternal health, emergency care, disease control, and the overall public confidence.
At its core, the manpower crisis is not merely about numbers; it is about distribution, training, and retention. Even where doctors are available, they are often concentrated in urban centres, leaving rural and remote areas neglected. This imbalance deepens inequalities, forcing many citizens to travel long distances even for basic care or depend on overused facilities. This result is delayed treatment, complicate matters that otherwise would have been prevented, and a widening trust deficit in public healthcare.
The way forward must begin with a realistic assessment of workforce planning. Nagaland needs a long-term human resource policy that is aligned with medical education, recruitment, and deployment considering the state’s unique geographical and demographic realities. Bonded service for medical graduates, especially those trained with public funds, could help ensure that rural areas are not continually neglected. However, it must come with incentives such as hardship allowances, housing, career advancement opportunities, and safe working conditions.
Equally crucial is investment in medical education and training within the state. Nursing colleges needs expansion, paramedical institutes, and, where feasible, medical training facilities can gradually build a local workforce that is more likely to serve within Nagaland. Skill development programs for community health workers can also bridge immediate gaps, particularly in preventive and primary care. A strong primary healthcare system reduces the burden on higher-level facilities and creates a more resilient healthcare network.
Another critical area is governance and accountability. Transparent recruitment processes, timely appointments, and efficient deployment mechanisms are essential to prevent vacancies going backlog. Regular audits of staffs and staffing pattern and performance can help identify gaps early and ensure that resources are used effectively and judiciously. Collaboration with private healthcare providers and non-governmental organizations can also supplement government efforts.
Many trained professionals who are not able to express their skills and expertise due to lack of proper machines, infrastructure and living conditions can leave the state in search of better opportunities. This calls for addressing more than financial incentives. It warrants a holistic improvement in working environments including adequate equipment, supportive administration, and opportunities for continuous professional development. There is also a need for creating a sense of purpose and belonging among healthcare workers which is equally important.
Finally, community participation is always necessary and which was also attested by the Covid-19 pandemic. Public health is a shared responsibility, and local communities can play a role in supporting healthcare initiatives, promoting preventive practices, and holding systems accountable. Greater awareness campaigns and community engagement will strengthen the link between providers and patients, making healthcare delivery more effective and responsive.
The current Nagaland’s healthcare manpower crisis is deep, but it is not insurmountable. With strategic planning, sustained investment, and collective commitment, the state can rebuild its healthcare system into one that is equitable, accessible, and resilient. The urgency is undeniable, and which is also an opportunity to create lasting change. Easier said than done, but it calls for sensibility and responsibility especially at the level of governance.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial for The Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com).
