GUWAHATI, June 27 � Asserting that funds would not be a constraint for implementation of Centre-sponsored flagship health programmes in the north-eastern states, Union Health Minister JP Nadda today said the state governments also ought to exhibit the required dynamism to ensure success of the projects.
The Union Minister also announced that Assam would soon have an All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS).
Addressing the media after a review meeting of the region�s healthcare scenario, especially the implementation of the Centre-funded projects, with the health ministers of the eight north-eastern states, Nadda said the immediate challenge before the north-eastern states was to bring the abysmally low rates of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Total Fertility Rate (TFR) up to the national average.
He also asserted that there had been no change in the 90:10 funding pattern for the flagship projects as alleged by the state governments.
Replying to a question on the unavailability of medicines in interior areas in the states, Nadda said the state governments should ensure a robust chain of medicine supply as fund was not a constraint.
Urging the state governments to act in close coordination with Central ministries, departments and agencies, Nadda said implementation of the programmes in the region was apparently hit by lack of coordination amongst the various agencies.
Terming lack of accessibility to healthcare in the hilly regions of the North-east as a major problem area, the Union Minister said the state governments would do well to address the issue of connectivity as a matter of priority.
On the issue of setting up an AIIMS in the State, Nadda said the institute would come up once the Assam government allotted the required plot of land to the Centre. �We have been shown a few sites, but the matter has not been finalised as yet,� he added.
