Dimapur, March 3 (MExN): More suspicions are being cast on the dubious implementation of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in Nagaland and the stakes are higher now with the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) reiterating its demand for a full-fledged investigation into the ways the scheme is being implemented in the state. The NMA issued a copy of representation addressed to the Governor of Nagaland Nikhil Kumar today, reiterating the organization’s demand for a probe.
It has also surfaced that the department had attempted to stifle criticism and expression when objection was raised by the NMA concerning anomalies, discrepancies and abstract dealings in the way the scheme was being implemented. The NMA’s representation carries lurid charges.
In the representation, the NMA expressed serious concerns at the functioning of the NRHM and its programs in the state. “The reply and comments of the department concerned on the NMA memorandum on NRHM is found to be vague, evasive and not satisfactory,” the NMA stated.
“The NMA reiterates our demand for a high-level Inquiry on implementation of the NRHM in Nagaland, submitted on the 21st March 2011 , based on the incriminating documents submitted by the Commissioner and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare and Chairman State Health Society to the Governor’s Secretariat,” the NMA stated. According to the organization, the documents prove that the issues raised by the NMA as reference for an investigation are justified as there are glaring anomalies, financial irregularities and conflict of interest in spite of “comments” from the department of Health and Family Welfare.
“The reply and comments from the department concerned and the supplementary reply submitted by the Commissioner and Secretary, H&FW, to your esteemed office, are contradictory, as proven by the numerous documents attached as annexure by the department,” the NMA said.
According to the JSSK under NRHM, the mothers said, free referral transport is to be provided to the expectant mother before and after delivery from her home to the health unit and back. However it is learned that transportation charges are being realized or claimed, the NMA said. “The department has also been silent on the detailed list of patients, who have been provided such facility, names of Health units as such information is missing in the annexure provided by the department.”
The NMA disclosed further to have received reports of preferential payments under JSY in Health units/district hospitals on delivery of babies that mothers giving birth to male child were paid higher than those giving birth to the girl child. “NMA’s concerns and objections on such preferential payments under JSY, NRHM were highlighted in a national seminar organized by the North East Network on the 14th December 2011 at Kohima in the presence of Planning Commission Member Dr. Syeda Hameed and the Secretary , National Commission for Women, New Delhi, Dr. Anita Agnihotri, IAS. When such anomalies were brought out by the media, the department of H&FW, immediately threatened the NMA by serving a two days’ show cause on the 19th December 2011, to the Advisor, NMA who had critiqued ‘Laws and Policies of the State Government on Empowerment of Women’ in her presentation as Resource person.”
The organization has noted the threats and intimations which it said are to cover up illegal activities under NRHM. “The department has failed to inquire into such violations of human rights of mothers and babies and instead has resorted to defamation of the NMA and threatening our freedom of speech,” the NMA said. “Details of preferential payments and names of hospitals have been verbally informed to the Principal Director, Department of H&FW but the NMA reserves the right to protect the identity of patients to avoid further harassment by the Department on mothers who have been discriminated with such payments.”
The NMA listed the points of suspicion in its representation to the governor.
The organization has demanded a full fledged Inquiry on the issues raised, to root out the deficiencies, shortcomings and ensure a transparent and effective health delivery service under NRHM Nagaland. “The Inquiry Committee must include at least two expert members, nominated by the NMA. The President, NMA is supposed to be a Member of the State Health Mission. However, only one meeting was convened last year to obtain approval for partnerships, with no time given to discuss serious concerns,” the NMA said. “Till date, many district Tribe units of the NMA are unaware, that they are members of the District Health Society as they have not been invited for such meetings.”
The NMA also demanded immediate appointment of an “effective and serious” chairman of State Health Society, Mission Director of NRHM “with a proven good, clean track record, and without political interference, strictly in consonance with the MOU signed with the Government of India.” The representation was appended by Abeiu Meru, NMA president and Rosemary Dzuvichu, Convener of the NMA Committee on NRHM.
