DIMAPUR — The doctor-to-population ratio in respect of Nagaland presently stands at 1:4056 (one doctor per 4056 persons), according to Dr. Sukhato A Sema, a retired health official and now a legislator in the current PDA government. Speaking as the special guest at the annual conference-cum-general body meeting of the Nagaland In-service Doctor’s Association (NIDA) at Chümoukedima on Saturday, Sukhato reminded that the World Health Organization recommends a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:1000, while the Indian Public Health Standards’ recommendation is 1:2500. He said that the ideal doctor-to-population ratio in respect of Nagaland, as per the 2011 Census, should be 1:1979. According to him, there were 390 Nagaland government doctors as of 2022. He said that in every 100-bed hospital, especially the district hospitals, there should be a minimum of 29 doctors. Sukhato also suggested that NIDA should work out the needs of the public in terms of hospitals and manpower—doctors, nurses, and paramedical workers—meticulously and factually, including the service rules to be at par with the other cadres like IAS, IFS, IPS, NCS, etc. He urged the association to request the state government to provide basic amenities like quarters for medical officers, nursing staff, and other paramedical staff. With regard...