Union health and family welfare minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan assured central government’s initiatives on all proposals by Manipur chief minister, Nongthombam Biren Singh and Member of Parliament, Dr. R.K. Ranjan. Both representatives of the state pitched for enhancing the healthcare facilities in the state.

The union minister have given the assurance at a media interaction at the sidelines of the 48th foundation day celebration of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and graduation ceremony held on Saturday at Imphal. 

Speaking to media, Dr. Harsh Vardhan stated that enhancing healthcare facilities of Manipur is not only a dream but a promise of the central government.

To make RIMS better and well equipped and to take it to a higher level is the dream and aim of the central government and it has been working on this path since RIMS came under central government, he said.

“Likewise, I have assured the chief minister that with full sincerity and commitment, we will move forward all the proposals. It is the dream of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi that all the states of Northeast India should not be left behind in any fields. In these five years under the leadership of Narendra Modi, NE India has developed tremendously and this is known to all. And in the coming years, there will be more development than what has been achieved in past five years”, stated the union minister.

Earlier during the function, Dr. Harsh Vardhan stressed that even if they faced various challenges,  doctors should serve the people in the society with utmost dedication and sincerity.

He said that RIMS was able to occupy the 28th position in All India Rankings, 2019 by National Institutional Ranking Framework because of the dedicated service of its doctors, students and staff.

Chief Minister of Manipur, Nongthombam Biren, who presided over the function, urged the union health and family welfare minister for early commencement of Air Ambulance Service. Manipur, being a topographically difficult state, requires the service at the earliest. Even though DoNER Ministry had already sanctioned Rs. 25 crore to start the service, there has been delay because of confusion on which department or minister is to handle the project, he said.

He further noted that in view of the huge population of the state reaching upto 30 lakh, two medical institutions is not enough. He further urged the union minister for setting up of another AIIMS level hospital under the sponsorship of the central government. 

Biren also sought central government’s assistance in setting up another state-run medical college, opening of a comprehensive Stroke-Care Centre at JNIMS and a cancer hospital in the state as well.

RIMS director, A. Santa said that from August, 2019, the academic front of the institution has taken big strides. Doctorate of Medicine course in Nephrology with two seats has been started. In a first, MSc. Nursing with eight students intake in two specialities was started. Bachelor Degree courses in MLT and Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology are now conducted in the institute. Besides, approval of the competent authority has been obtained for starting MD course in Sports Medicine. The course will start from the academic session of next year, he intimated.

After the function, the governors’ council meeting chaired by the union minister was convened after 11 years and for the first time in Imphal.