Experts flag health data gaps, research capacity issues in NE

Dimapur, August 29 (MExN): The Naga Scholars’ Association (NSA), as part of its Insights Lecture Series, organised a webinar on “Evidence for Better Health: Public Health Data and Research in India and the North-East”, highlighting gaps in health data, healthcare access and regional research capacity. 

The speakers were Dr Raghunath Mandi, Proposal Development Specialist, HelpAge India-Institute for Longevity and Ageing Research, New Delhi, and Jasmine Maringmei, Atlantic Fellow, Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong, and Policy Analyst, Government of Meghalaya. 

Mandi provided an overview of the public health data ecosystem in India and discussed working with national datasets, including National Family Health Survey-Round 6 (NFHS-6), Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), Health Management Information System (HMIS), National Sample Survey (NSS) and Census of India.

Maringmei spoke on health data challenges and opportunities in Northeast India and the need to translate research into policy and action.

Mandi highlighted continuing geographical and financial barriers to healthcare access, particularly among older persons. He said policymakers needed to look beyond awareness of government schemes and examine whether people were actually receiving the intended benefits.

He also stressed the need to identify those “who are left behind” despite aggregate improvements reflected in national health datasets.

Maringmei said better data did not necessarily mean collecting more data, but called for disaggregated, locally relevant and context-sensitive evidence. She described the “absence of data” as a policy problem and said it was “never neutral”, as policymakers could otherwise be forced to rely on evidence from other contexts.

On the insufficient research capacity in the Northeast, she said the region lacked enough people working in the field of research.

Chairing the webinar, Dr Khaling Ngamphundar, Assistant Finance Secretary, NSA, encouraged researchers to examine what data are collected, from whom, who remains excluded and how evidence can be translated into policy.

The question-and-answer session covered Indigenous healing practices, NFHS-6, nutrition, healthcare access and government schemes.

The webinar concluded with a call for stronger regional research capacity and evidence that is rigorous, relevant and responsive to community needs.

Dr Avei Vey, Vice President, NSA and Assistant Professor, South Asian University, delivered the welcome address and vote of thanks.