Siaha is one of the oldest districts in the state of Mizoram. It was earlier part of the Chhimtuipui District which was created on September 1, 1972, when the Mizo District became a union territory after the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971.
In 1998, when Chhimtuipui District was split in half, the half that became Siaha District was briefly called by the old name Chhimtuipui District.
Despite being a district for over twenty-seven years, Siaha has long been in the spotlight for its underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly its inadequate healthcare facilities.
It is no surprise that this district, situated 368 kilometres away from the state capital Aizawl, is the furthest from the capital, with the journey being both long and treacherous.
The shortcomings in healthcare infrastructure were tragically underscored recently by the death of a 52-year-old woman.
On January 10, 2024, FC Neiche—affectionately known as Hnaihnai—rose early for a long journey. She, along with a relative, set off from Siaha town to Lawngtlai district, a two-and-a-half-hour trip, to seek medical care. A CT scan had been recommended, but with no such equipment in Siaha, they had to travel to Lawngtlai for the procedure.
Hnaihnai, known for her kindness and selflessness, chose to travel on the early morning taxi service to assist her relative, who was not familiar with the Mizo language. After completing the necessary medical procedures, it was already past 1 p.m.—the final hour for the return maxi cab sumo service from Lawngtlai to Siaha.
They opted to take an auto rickshaw for the remainder of their journey, but fate had other plans. On their way home, they were involved in a devastating accident. Hnaihnai succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
“They were nearly at the ferry that would have carried them across the river between the two districts when the accident happened,” Evelyn Chouzah, Hnaihnai’s niece, shared with EastMojo. “At first, my aunt was conscious, but she was bleeding heavily. They rushed her to the Civil Hospital in Lawngtlai, but the bleeding wouldn’t stop. She was then transferred to Lairam Christian Medical Centre & Hospital, yet there were no surgeons available for surgery, and by that time, she had lost consciousness. She passed away around 5 p.m.”
“She was the heart and soul of our family, always making everyone feel at home,” Evelyn Chouzah, Hnaihnai’s niece, recalled with emotion. “She was incredibly generous and helpful, and it was this selflessness—this tlawmgaihna—that led her on her final journey. She passed away helping someone. It truly reflects how she lived her entire life.”
Chouzah also shared how she, too, has made several trips from Siaha to Lawngtlai to assist others in need of medical care, including CT scans and consultations with specialists. “We have good doctors, but we lack the essential equipment,” she explained. “Just last year, we received a dialysis machine, which was a huge relief, but we still don’t have critical equipment like a CT scan machine. Many emergency cases desperately need it.”
The Health Dynamics of India 2022-23 report highlights significant gaps in Siaha’s healthcare system, even within Mizoram. It reveals that the district has one of the lowest numbers of functioning rural sub-centres—just 24—only surpassing the smaller, recently established districts of Khawzawl and Hnahthial formed in 2019.
Additionally, Siaha has the lowest number of rural primary health centres (PHCs) at just four, and no community health centres (CHCs). In a district which according to the 2011 census has a population of 54, 462, where basic healthcare remains a serious concern, advanced equipment like a CT scan is still an unfulfilled dream.
EastMojo reached out to Dr. Lalnunziri, the Chief Medical Officer of Siaha district, who explained, “The primary reason people travel to other districts for medical care is the lack of a CT scan. In the past, we also lacked an anesthesiologist, so women needing cesarean sections were referred to other districts. However, we now have an anesthesiologist.”
She also mentioned that the government is working to procure a CT scan and is hopeful that the district will soon have one.
A 2020 study on the Spatial Distribution of Rural Population and Healthcare Facilities in Siaha District, conducted by Dr David Zothansanga and Dr Bobby Beingachh, found that there were only 84 medical staff members in total, including just four doctors, to care for the health needs of 52 rural villages, with a population of 31,464 as of 2019.
The study found that there are significant imbalances in the availability of healthcare facilities in Siaha District, which is exacerbated by the growing population and the rapid rise in critical and serious illnesses.
The analysis revealed that there has been minimal improvement in the healthcare-population ratio, highlighting an urgent need for the government to address this issue and an imperative need for the government to upgrade and equip healthcare facilities to meet the increasing demands of the population.
Additionally, the study found it concerning that some villages, with populations approaching 1,000 do not have healthcare facilities and medical personnel. The researchers suggested that this lack of infrastructure could pose serious challenges in times of emergency or critical situations.
According to the 2020-2021 hospital statistics prepared by the Mizoram Health Department, Siaha district is equipped with only basic medical equipment, including an ECG machine, an X-ray machine, and an ultrasound machine, along with basic laboratory facilities.
The statistics also suggest that CT scan machines are available only in four hospitals in Aizawl—including the state referral hospital and Mizoram State Cancer Institute—and in the Civil Hospital in Lunglei.
Siaha also lacks medical personnel. According to the Mizoram Statistical Abstract 2023, Siaha has the least registered regular doctors among 11 districts of Mizoram: even less than the newly-formed districts. It has five regular doctors and three contract doctors. It has just two regular and nine contract lab technicians, and four registered pharmacists, of which 3 are employed on a contract basis.
Also Read: 7 doctors for 1.17L: Why Mizoram’s Lawngtlai residents are out on streets
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