History

 EVOLUTION OF HEALTH SERVICES IN MIZORAM 

It is difficult to trace back the history of the Health Department in Mizoram due to lack of documents. However, it is one of the oldest functioning departments in the State. From available records, an impoverished treatment camp was established at Aizawl in a tent for laborers (kulis) in 1894. This was later upgraded to a full-fledged dispensary in 1896. Subsequently, in the same year, Aizawl Hospital was made functional with 20 beds and Champhai Dispensary with 8 beds. This was followed by the establishment of 8 more 6-bedded dispensaries at Kolasib, Sairang, Lunglei, Champhai, N. Vanlaiphai, Sialsuk, Tlabung, Vahai and Tuipang in 1920.

It is presumed from the records that Dr. E. Christian Harr, Surgeon Captain was the first Civil Surgeon of Lushai Hills. His hand written entry, dated 22nd November, 1896 can be seen in the “Inspection Book , Champhai Dispensary , From 1896 to 1973”, preserved by the Health Department. At the time of Independence in 1947, there was a 36-bedded hospital at Aizawl and dispensaries as mentioned above. There was acute shortage of doctors and pharmacists as Mizoram was just another district of Assam. Health Services organization then was headed by a Civil Surgeon based at Aizawl supported by a Sub-Divisional Medical Officer based at Lunglei. When the Mizoram District Council was formed in 1952, one more hospital, 7 Public Health Dispensaries, 3 Primary Health Centres and 7 Traveling Dispensaries were established. However, during the civil strife in the State, some Dispensaries/Traveling Dispensaries were not functional.

A twelve-month Dai Training course was established at Aizawl Hospital from April 1950 till June 1959 during which 101 Dais were trained. Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) Training Course of 2 years duration was also initiated from 1957 with the objective of training personnel to work as nurses at the community level. A total of 203 ANMs completed the training during 1957-1981.

The Multipurpose Workers (MPW) Scheme, initiated as a pilot scheme in selected districts in India, covered the entire Mizoram in 1977, being one of the very few States implementing MPW scheme Statewide. The ANM Training School was upgraded to the Multipurpose Health Worker School in the year 1980.

The functions of Health Department, according to Government (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1987 are as follows:-
1. Administration of Government Hospitals, Dispensaries and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
2. Prevention of Food Adulteration.
3. Drug Control Acts.
4. Implementation of National Schemes in Health and Family Planning(Welfare).
5. Administration of Medical Services.
6. Indian Lunacy Act/Poison Act.
7. Maternal and Child Health Programmes.
8. TB, Leprosy and Child Health Programmes.
9. Matters relating to Indian Medical Council.
10. Health Education Schemes.

In addition to the above many areas related to preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health care and new health problems and issues come under the jurisdiction of the Health Department

To address the above responsibilities, Health Department has been bifurcated into Directorate of Health Services (DHS) and Directorate of Hospital & Medical Education(DHME), each having a separate budget. It is coordinated and integrated the two Directorates under the Principal Director at State level. DHS look after rural health institutions i.e., Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Sub-Centres (SCs) and Rural Hospital, Tlabung. Similarly, Civil Hospital(Aizawl), Kulikawn, Hospital and all the district hospitals come under the jurisdiction of Directorate of Hospital & Medical Education.

At the district levels, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Medical Superintentent represent the DHS and DHME respectively. Also, Aizawl District has been functionally divided into Aizawl East and Aizawl West districts for health service delivery, each headed by a CMO.

At the State level, the two Directors are assisted by Programme Officers, Deputy Directors (Administrators), an Executive Engineer and his team, Medical Officers, Research Officers, Finance & Accounts Officers, Officer Superintendent and ministerial as well as contractual staff.

Currently, Health Services in Mizoram is provided through one State Hospital (an upgraded district hospital), 7 district hospitals, 9 Community Health Centres, 57 Primary Health Centres and 366 Sub- centres & 78 Clinics spreading across the state. Population norms set by the Central Government need to be relaxed for Mizoram in order to reach all members of the community. Different categories of technical and non-technical manpower work together in a coordinated effort to address the objectives and functions of Health Department.