State govt declares health centres as tobacco-free zone

DIMAPUR, JAN 26 (NPN): State government has declared all district hospitals (DHs), community health centres (CHC), primary health centres (PHCs), sub-centres (SC), chief medical officer (CMO) offices, medical superintendent (MS) offices, Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) and directorate of health & family welfare as tobacco-free zone.

(From p-1) of commissioner and secretary H&FW Kikheto Sema and principal director Dr. Temjentsungla.

MoU was signed during the department coordination meeting held in the conference hall of H&FW directorate here on Wednesday. MoU said that as per the Naga Hospital Authority Act, 2003, NHAK would continue to function as the state government referral hospital, which would be affiliated to the NIMSRS till it becomes a fully functional teaching hospital.

Speaking at the coordination meeting, Y Kikheto Sema informed that the administrative building of the medical college, Kohima would be completed before May 2023; boys and girls hostels will complete before April 2023; Sports complex will be taken over by February 2023; the quarters for the Dean, Director and staff are almost finished; and the library and teachers common room will be taken over by June 2023. He assured that the medical College will start before the academic session.

In a notification, commissioner & secretary H&FW, Y Kikheto Sema stated that henceforth smoking and using of tobacco products within the hospital premises and sale of tobacco products within 100 meters from any hospital would be prohibited with effect from February 1, 2023.

The government has authorised the principal director, all heads of offices in charge of hospitals, CMOs, MS and Nursing-incharge to take action against anybody who contravened the provision of Section 4 and 6 (b) of COTPA 2003 within their jurisdiction.

State government has taken this decision considering the ever-increasing disease burden attributed to tobacco use.