Nagaland Health & Family Welfare Minister P. Paiwang Konyak has called for a coordinated effort to ensure effective implementation of the state’s one-year ban on tobacco and nicotine-containing food products.

 

Addressing a high-level review meeting of the Health & Family Welfare Department, Mr Konyak said the ban would help improve public health and protect younger generations from the harmful effects of tobacco use. He urged civil society organisations, churches and community leaders to work closely with district administrations and police authorities for effective enforcement.

 

Earlier this month, Nagaland government imposed a year-long statewide ban on the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of food products containing tobacco or nicotine, citing public health concerns and directives from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

 

The Minister also reviewed key health programmes, including preparedness for Ebola outbreak, the 100-day mission under the National Quality Assurance Standards, and the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

 

Officials informed the meeting that no Ebola cases have been detected in the state and that surveillance and preparedness measures remain in place.

 

The review further covered major healthcare infrastructure projects, including Mon Medical College, NIMSR Kohima, projects under PM-DevINE and the National Health Programme III. Planned initiatives include new trauma centres, a State Cancer Institute, a State Allied Health Institute and the establishment of a new AIIMS.

 

Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has acknowledged Minister Konyak for registering as a Ni-Kshay Mitra under the Prime Minister’s TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

 

The recognition honours his commitment to supporting tuberculosis patients by providing nutritional and other food supplements. It also highlights his contribution to public health initiatives and towards the national goal of achieving a TB-Free India.