NE Health Knowledge Mission is an Urgent Need
- Part 3 -

G S Oinam *

3. Sikkim

Demography

The population of Sikkim is 0.54 million according to 2001 census and is scattered over 4 district and 452 villages. The State has the density of 76 persons per sq. km. As against decadal growth rate of 21.54% at the national level, the population of the State has grown by 33.06% over the period 1991-2001. The sex ratio of Sikkim at 875 females to 1000 males is lower than the national average of 933. Female literacy of the State rose to 61.46% from 46.76% in 1991. The population of Sikkim is mainly made up of the Lepchas, the Bhutias and their allied clans and the Nepalese.

HEALTH INDICATORS OF SIKKIM

The Total Fertility Rate of the State is 2.0. The Infant Mortality Rate is 34 and Maternal Mortality Ratio is NA (SRS 2001 - 03). The Sex Ratio in the State is 875 (as compared to 933 for the country). Comparative figures of major health and demographic indicators are as follows:

Table I: Demographic, Socio-economic and Health profile of Sikkim State as compared to India figures

Table II: Health Infrastructure of Sikkim

(Source: RHS Bulletin, March 2007, M/O Health & F.W., GOI)

The other Health Institution in the State are detailed as under:

4. Meghalaya

Demography

The population of Meghalaya is 2.32 according to 2001 census and is scattered over 7 districts 39 blocks and 6026 villages. The State has the density of 103 persons per sq. km. As against decadal growth rate of 21.54% at the national level, the population of the State has grown by 30.65% over the period 1991-2001. The sex ratio of Meghalaya at 972 females to 1000 males is higher than the national average of 933. Female literacy of the State rose to 60.41% from 44.85% in 1991.

STATE CAPITAL

Meghalaya’s capital, Shillong and also the district headquarters of East Khasi Hills District is situated at an altitude of 1,496 meters above sea level. The capital city has a bracing climate throughout the year. This city has been the seat of Government since the consolidation of the British administration in this part of India, over a century ago. It is also known as ‘the Scotland of the East’.

The city is one of the few hill stations with motorable roads all round. Shillong has its own charm, different from other hill stations, and presents a natural scenic beauty with waterfalls, brooks, pine grooves and gardens. The place, the people, the flora and fauna and the climate all combine to make Shillong an ideal resort throughout the year. Shillong offers arrangements for tourists with good hotel accommodation, facilities for sports, fishing and hiking.

Shillong is also the headquarters of the North Eastern Council, the Eastern Air Command, the Assam Rifle, the Assam Regimental Centre and 101 Comm. Zone. Here, there is the North Eastern Hill University and the official residence of the Governor of Meghalaya. A bench of the Guwahati High Court has been set up in Shillong.

HEALTH INDICATORS OF MEGHALAYA

The Total Fertility Rate of the State is 3.8. The Infant Mortality Rate is 56 and Maternal Mortality Ratio is NA (SRS 2001 - 03). The Sex Ratio in the State is 972 (as compared to 933 for the country). Comparative figures of major health and demographic indicators are as follows:

Table I: Demographic, Socio-economic and Health profile of Meghalaya State as compared to India figures

Table II: Health Infrastructure of Meghalaya

(Source: RHS Bulletin, March 2007, M/O Health & F.W., GOI)

The other Health Institution in the State are detailed as under:

Ms V.S. Rao IAS (Retd), the then secretary of DONER has a vision to establish a medical consultancy cum temporary shelter especially for North east people in New Delhi. The idea was considered and welcome by former DONER Minister Shri Manisanker Iyer. Both of them are south Indian, were serving for the development of North East. Unfortunately, the idea was unfinished, Shri, Manisanker Iyer was defeated in the election for the minister of wrong portfolio in wrong constituency.(He was the minister of Panchayati Raj ,well established system in Tamil Nadu and DONER, which is not related to Tamil Nadu ). Now, UPA-II has an agenda for health information network all over India by 2020 under National Knowledge Commission. There should be active involvement of private and public health entities to effective address the creation of this network, portal, electronic health records, health data value, security, privacy and other related issues. The ready availability of information will accrue enormous benefits to public health planning, medical education, cost control, medical research, drug development, prevention of fraud, disaster management and improved patient care and consultancy. Today, DONER ministry has both Secretary and Minister from North East. Will the DONER minister consider an urgent need of NE Health Knowledge Mission in right time?

to be continued....

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* The author is a journalist based in New Delhi and contributes regularly to e-pao.net. He can be contacted at gitchandraoinam (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) in. This article was webcasted on September 02nd, 2009.

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