Govt mulls separate directorate for dental health serivce

To this, state government has already approved creation of a separate directorate under health and family welfare. But it needed more formalities, said Moangwati while addressing the inaugural function of the two-day-long 14th IDANSB conference and AGM at Nagaland bamboo resource centre, conference hall, 6th mile, Dimapur.

While expressing his view that Dental care was one of the largest unmet health needs, Moangwati said government needed to give top priority on dental health care.

He lamented that out of the 21 health centres in the state, only six centres have dental doctors.

Taking note of the demand for doctors in the country which has gone up by 1.5% and that of nurses to 2.5%, he expressed optimism that Nagaland, after setting up of the medical college, would be able to cater to the needs of the state. 

Apart from providing health services, Maognwati said health industry has been able offer various employment opportunities, at the same time generate huge revenue in the country. He further said with the increasing trend of health tourism in the country, Maognwati opined that Nagaland could also become one of them in the health map.

“Around $1.60 million is expected from the health industry by 2016 and within four to five years it would double up so much of income revenue is coming up,” he said. Maongwati further encouraged the doctors in the state to remain updated and to be innovative in their respective fields so that they could also be part of the growing industry in the country. 

Delivering a report on the status of dental surgeons in the state, H&FW additional director Dr. N Savino said out of the 150 registered dentists in the state, only 33 were regular employees while 15 were employed NHM on contractual basis. 

On the technical problem faced by dental students, he said dental practitioners were getting fewer opportunities as compared to MBBS. 

He said the required ratio of dental surgeon is 1:10. In this regard, Dr. Savino said the state should be having at least 190 to 195 dental surgeons in the government sector. Highlight of the programme included inauguration of trade fair by H&FW joint director Dr. H. Hotokhu Chishi and poster presentation.