Dignitaries during the launch of Social Protection Help-Desk Project on July 23 in Kohima.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 23
The ‘Social Protection Help- Desk Project’, a groundbreaking initiative funded by TATA AIG, with intervention by Swasti and groundwork by The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) was launched in Nagaland today at East Gate Hotel, Kohima.
The launching event was attended by TATA AIG funding members, Swasti team, tEA officials, government representatives from Health and Family Welfare.
The event was chaired by Manpang Nyiam, the Project Coordinator of tEA. She expressed her excitement about the launch, calling it a significant milestone as the project aims to provide comprehensive social protection and health security services to the communities in Nagaland, particularly in Phek and Zunheboto, ensuring everyone has access to basic health needs.
Neikule Doulo, Executive Director of tEA highlighted tEA’s 24-year journey in the development sector and how its beneficiaries from diverse backgrounds would be empowered through the various schemes under this project.
She also expressed her gratitude to the funders, partners, and government officials for their crucial support in bringing this project to life.
As the ground partner, tEA will conduct awareness programs through its field teams and collect data on the number of beneficiaries enrolled and those who have availed the benefits of these schemes, all while ensuring the privacy of individuals is maintained.
Devang, Deputy Vice President & Lead CSR and Ethics at TATA AIG, delivered the keynote address. He provided a brief introduction to the TATA group, highlighting how its surpluses are converted into charitable works in health, education, and development sectors. The social protection project is also a product of their CSR efforts, aiming to empower 15,000 individuals.
The Swasti team, represented by P Bhoopathy, National Social Protection Lead, and Bhawana Yadav, Program Manager, presented an overview of the program along with its goals and objectives.
They explained their partnership with TATA AIG and how this project is part of the second phase, which will be implemented in Nagaland and Maharashtra.
Special emphasis is being given to Phek and Zunheboto, they elaborated on how tEA can extend the project to other areas and communities.
Bhawana stated, “This project aims to improve access to health care in Nagaland by raising community awareness and highlighting the importance of the schemes to encourage enrollment. tEA will need to build a strong field team and undergo capacity training to effectively carry out fieldwork. The project also emphasizes digitalization, with the development of a repository that will provide detailed information on all the schemes with assistance from government officials from the Health & Family Welfare Department. Additionally, a universal help desk will be created, integrating all digital platforms for enrollment and paperwork.”
Dr E Motsuthung Patton, Principal Director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, delivered a speech as the Chief Guest, expressing his concern for vulnerable communities, who are often the most affected.
He mentioned that while the state government offers various health schemes such as PMJAY, PMJJBY, and PMSBY, among others, a lack of awareness means many remote communities remain unreached. He expressed his gratitude to TATA AIG for this initiative, which will create awareness and provide easy access to these health schemes for all.
Dr Kikameren Longkumer, Joint CEO of the Nagaland Health Protection Society (AB PM-JAY CMHIS), Department of Health and Family Welfare, GON, highlighted the scarcity of social protection schemes.
He noted that while the state government has provided health insurance for 90% of the 4 lakh households in Nagaland, only 7 lakh individuals out of the 20 lakh population have e-cards, due to a lack of awareness and supporting documents. He expressed his gratitude to TATA AIG for funding the initiative and to Swasti and tEA for their intervention and groundwork, respectively.
The first session concluded with a vote of thanks. The second session, held in the afternoon, was a capacity-building program for the tEA field teams, delivered by government officials from the Health and Family Welfare.
The Social Health Project is set to be implemented in Nagaland, with emphasis on Zunheboto and Phek Districts, targeting a total of 15,000 individuals. The Social Security Schemes to be covered under this project includes: Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna, E-shram Card and Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme.
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