IMPHAL, Sept 14 - Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan today assured that the Centre would take steps to improve the medical institutions in the North East region with �sincerity and commitment�.
The Union minister was speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the 48th foundation day celebration of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), a premier medical institute of the North East, here this morning.
Claiming that the North East has witnessed vast development in the last five years, Dr Vardhan said that there would be more positive changes in the next five years as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the dream to make the facilities available in the North East on a par with the rest of the country.
Earlier, addressing the foundation day function, which was also attended by Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Lok Sabha member Dr RK Ranjan, the Union Health Minister appealed to doctors to show professional and social responsibility.
In his speech, Chief Minister N Biren Singh urged the Union minister to upgrade the RIMS to the status of the AIIMS, and highlighted the State Government�s initiatives to address health issues in the State in the last two-and-a-half years of the BJP-led coalition Government by introducing the �Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang� (CMHT), a public health programme which has been running successfully.
So far 14,568 out of the 74,121 families enrolled under the CMHT have received benefits of the scheme involving an amount of Rs 20.74 crore since its establishment, Biren Singh said. Of them, 5,907 patients availed of the benefits at the RIMS alone, involving a total claim of Rs 933.48 lakh.
The Chief Minister also sought the Centre�s support in setting up another medical institute in the State, besides neurosurgery and stroke care units. MP Dr RK Ranjan also stressed the need to set up more medical colleges in the State.
Preeti Sudan, Secretary to the Health Ministry, sought support in achieving the target of eliminating tuberculosis in the country by 2025.
Hoisting of the RIMS flag, release of the annual report and magazines, distribution of prizes and certificates to meritorious students, presentation of mementos to dignitaries and holding of the graduation day ceremony were the highlights of the foundation day celebration.
