Difficult terrain and lack of essential supplies including water, electricity, and communication have virtually derailed the National Rural Health Mission in most parts of Nagaland. Despite this, the infant and maternal mortality rates are low, thanks to the strong community bonding.

Though the State government has made serious efforts to create infrastructure under the Centrally-sponsored National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), access to these facilities is difficult owing to non-existent or bad roads, undependable communication system and acute shortage of water and power supply.