The need and demand for qualified healthcare providers are growing as the health-seeking behavior of people increases. Only the formally trained Medical, Nursing, and Paramedical staff will not be able to meet the growing need for human resources. So, the Health Sector Skill Council (HSSC) & CMAI Short Courses will be of great help in bridging the gap in human resource challenges in health care.
The HSSC/CMAI short courses in CIHSR, comprising of the General Duty Assistants (GDA)/ Patient Care Assistants (PCA) & Home Health Aides (HHA), were started in August 2016 through the initiatives of Dr. Abraham Joseph, former Director of CIHSR and Dr. Sedevi Angami, Director, CIHSR and is Co-ordinated by Mrs. L. Emi Humtsoe under the guidance of Dr. Jacob Chacko, Associate Director (Academics). This is the first short course of its kind in the state of Nagaland. Altogether there are 22 students undergoing the training at present.

Objectives of the course:

• General Duty Assistants: To develop a pool of trained workforce that can be employed by hospitals and health care facilities as patient care assistants.
• Home Health Aides: To develop qualified assistants (auxiliary care providers) who will provide routine individualized healthcare to the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities in the home environment.

Brief course outline:

• The 1-year training is divided into four terms.
• Classroom activities: Classroom activities are an integral part of the program and interactive sessions, followed by discussions, are conducted by the trainers. Theory classes on basic concepts related to health and health care such as The Human Body, Soft Skills and Communication, Health Care Delivery Systems, Primary Health Care, Biomedical Waste Management and Infection Control Practices, Hygiene, Safety, and Emergency response, apart from the general functions of the GDA and HHA which include the basic nursing procedures, are taught using various teaching methods and teaching aides.
• Practical activities: Activities that provide practical experience including role plays, games, and practical demonstrations in the skills lab are provided. The students are also provided practical experience through posting in various wards, departments of the Hospital, and patients’ homes under the clinical supervision of the hospital staff and trainers.
• Bible classes and extracurricular activities are also conducted.
• Students are also encouraged to participate in various social & community-based programmes.
• Continuous evaluation through written and practical examinations is done and feedback is provided to the students at the end of each term. The final evaluation will be done by external evaluators

Eligibility criteria:

Minimum qualification for application:

• Class VIII passed, preferably class X passed
• The minimum marks obtained should have been at least 35% aggregate.
• A fair knowledge of English.

Age limit: 17 to 35 years:

Student intake: 20 per course

Duration of the course: 1 year and 6 months internship (CMAI requirement)

The Trainers comprise both Nursing and non-nursing personnel from different departments of the hospital. The main trainers are

• Mrs. L. Emi Humtsoe
• Mrs. Luhem Kamei
• Mrs. Daizy Rani
• Mrs. Bendangtemsula