Rising non-communicable disease a major concern in Nagaland

Morung Express News
Kohima | October 23

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly becoming prevalent in Nagaland, especially affecting teenagers due to unhealthy eating habits, noted Dr Neha Mech, a Junior Research Fellow at PPVC.

She also expressed concern over the “alarming decline in life expectancy” among the Naga population, noting that many individuals are experiencing sudden heart attacks, resulting in an average life expectancy of just 45 years.

Addressing a press conference on 100 days achievements of the Ministry of Ayush on October 22 at the AYUSH Wing of State’s Heath and Family Welfare (H&FW) Department,  Dr Mech noted that common ailments observed in the OPDs (Outpatient Departments) include gastritis, high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes and strokes.

Concurring, Dr Bendangtula, Deputy Director in charge of AYUSH, Nagaland, attributed the rise of NCDs among the Naga population to unhealthy lifestyles marked by sedentary habits, junk food consumption, and insufficient sleep.

Highlighting the AYUSH system, she stated that it encompasses Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, and has been gaining recognition since the launch of the AYUSH mission in 2014.

Currently, there are 142 Ayush doctors (25 in state service and the rest on contractual) posted across all districts in Nagaland, providing services in district hospitals, community and primary health centres, she informed. 

There are exclusive AYUSH hospitals in Noklak, Razeba, Chedema, and Dimapur, along with 49 health and wellness centres, besides co-located facilities with conventional allopathic treatments, she added. 

However, Dr Bendangtula noted a lack of public awareness regarding the facilities available for Ayurveda treatment and highlighted that patients receive free treatment and medicines, and physical instructors are engaged at the integrated AYUSH hospitals to incorporate exercise into treatment regimens.

“The facilities exist for years, but the people don’t know about it. We don’t just give medicines to the patients, we also encourage health living,” she added.

1500 medicinal plants in Nagaland
Experts, the Deputy Director noted, have informed about 1500 medicinal plants available in Nagaland, many of which are indigenous and rare.

“There are lots of plants with known nutritional herbs and can be grown in the kitchen garden. For any disease, we don’t have to rush to the hospital wherein so many of it can be taken care of it at home,” she maintained. 

To this end, she said efforts are being undertaken to promote medicinal plants in the kitchen gardens to patients.

Although identifying and documenting each plant remains a challenge, the National Bio Resource Mission has so far catalogued 650 plants with all the details, she added. 

With no manufacturing unit in Nagaland, Dr Bendangtula mentioned it is working towards setting up a manufacturing unit for Ayush drugs in the future through the State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB). This unit will utilise the state’s available resources for the production of Ayush medicines.

There is a homoepathy and ayurveda research unit who do research studies in Nagland, she added. 

She also informed that there has recently been improved coordination among departments such as Forest, Horticulture, and SASRD, with meetings being held to develop strategies for the cultivation, conservation, and promotion of medicinal plants.

She also appealed that public to avail the services offered via Ayush system.

100 days achievements
Meanwhile highlighting the achievements of the 100 days, Dr Vilas Gangurde, Research Officer, in-charge Regional Ayurveda Research Centre (RARC) Dimapur said over 14,000 Ayush-led health camps were organised nationwide, surpassing the original target of 10,000.
A total of 1,489 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs were evaluated by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), with 1,005 being awarded the Ayush Entry Level Certification. 

Also, the Ministry signed significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Vietnam and Malaysia to foster collaboration in the fields of medicinal plants and Ayurveda, promoting the global acceptance of traditional medicine practices.

He further informed that the Ministry has finalised 170 Ayush packages under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to integrate Ayush treatments into the national healthcare system, ensuring affordable traditional healthcare services for all.
Six new Centres of Excellence were established in collaboration with prestigious institutions like IISc Bangalore and IIT Delhi, with a focus on advancing research and innovation in traditional medicine, he added. 

While appreciating the Ministry’s commitment to revitalising traditional medicine systems and ensuring their integration into modern healthcare, Dr Gangurde maintained that the initiatives being implemented in Nagaland will not only enhance public health but also preserve and promote our rich heritage of traditional medicine.

The press conference was organised by the RARC Dimapur, in collaboration with the State Ayush Department of Nagaland.