Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 164/23

UNION MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE INAUGURATES NEW FACILITIES AT NEIGRIHMS

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated a new Regional Cancer Centre, a new Under-Graduate Medical College, New Building of Nursing College, Hostels, 8 Modular Operation Theatres, a Virtual Autopsy and New Guest House at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) in Shillong, Meghalaya today. He also laid the foundation stone for a 150-bed Critical Care Block at the institute. Shri Heaving Stone Kharpran, Member of Legislative Assembly, Meghalaya and Prof. Nalin Mehta, Director, NEIGRIHMS were also present.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Dr Mandaviya said that the new facilities at NEIGRIHMS will provide much-needed healthcare services to the people of the Northeast region. The Central Government is committed to improving the health infrastructure in the Northeast region and to providing quality healthcare services to the people of the region.

The Union Health Minister also stated that the new facilities at NEIGRIHMS will help to attract and retain medical professionals in the Northeast region. Appreciating the work culture and cleanliness in NEIGRIHMS, he said that the government is committed to further develop infrastructure at NEIGRIHMS so that the institute continues to remain a hub for medical treatment, research and training of healthcare and allied healthcare professionals for the Northeast region.

Dr Mandaviya stated that the Union Govt looks at the Health sector through a holistic approach. We are not only creating new and advanced medical infrastructure. We are also increasing the number of doctors and nursing stuff. In the last nine years, the number of medical colleges have doubled in the country. 1,70,000 Health and Wellness Centres have been created across the country. We are also building one Critical Care unit in every district in the country, he said.

Prof Nalin Mehta said that the new facilities will vastly improve healthcare facilities in NEIGRIHMS and will lead to increase in seats for MBBS and B.Sc. Nursing courses in Meghalaya. He further said that with the improvement of medical facilities in the Northeast region, people will not have to go far to other regions of the country for medical treatment.

The new facilities will provide much-needed healthcare services to the people of the Northeast region. The Regional Cancer Centre is a 252-bedded state-of-the-art facility that will provide comprehensive cancer care services to patients from across the region. The Under-Graduate Medical College will help in providing undergraduate medical education using state-of-the-art technologies to a batch of 100 MBBS students per year. The Nursing College will train nurses to meet the growing demand for nursing professionals in the Northeast region. The Hostels have a total of 416 rooms and will provide accommodation to MBBS Students and Interns. The Modular OT is a state-of-the-art operating theatre in the hospital that will be used for complex surgeries. The New Guest House has a capacity of 28 rooms that will provide accommodation for guests and visitors to NEIGRIHMS. 

A key highlight of the new facilities is the virtual autopsy facility at the institute, which is one of the most advanced and sophisticated facility, available only at few centres in the country. Virtual autopsy is a non-invasive post-mortem examination that uses medical imaging technology to create a 3D model of the body, which can then be examined by forensic pathologists and other medical professionals.

Press Release No. 165/23

UNION HEALTH MINISTER VISITS ASPIRATIONAL BLOCK

The Hon’ble Union Health Minister, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, visited the Umsaw Nongkharai Health and Wellness Center in Umling, an aspirational block, accompanied by Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Health Minister of Meghalaya, Smt. L. Sweety Changsan, Mission Director, NHM, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ramkumar S. IAS, Secretary, Department Health and Family Welfare and Mission Director, NHM, Meghalaya, Shri Arpit Upadhyay, Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District and other government officials from the Health Department.

During his visit, the Union Minister toured the Health and Wellness Center, and commended the dedicated staff for regularly conducting deliveries at the Health and Wellness Center, for providing teleconsultation services for the patients and for vigilant follow-ups on non-communicable disease cases. The Union health minister interacted with the ASHAs, health workers, Anganwadi workers, NIKSHAY Mitras, and patients who have benefited from PMJAY. Following the visit, a review meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioners office. Where the Union Health Minister, Shri. Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized the importance of equitable growth and development for a country to progress. Acknowledging our Prime Minister's recent comment on the lack of uniform development in the country, he expressed the urgent need for periodic reform of government schemes and initiatives.

The union health minister, pointed out that there are currently 500 blocks identified as below the national average, listed as aspirational districts. The goal is to elevate these districts to national average levels by fulfilling indicators on a mission mode. He stressed the significance of providing essential infrastructure and services to all aspirational districts, empowering the workforce at the village level, including Anganwadi workers, ASHAs and SHGs to achieve desired results.

The union Health minister further highlighted the importance of workshops at the cluster level, using the Ayushman Bhav concept of community mobilization and skill development for key government officials and villages. He emphasized the need to prioritize peoples involvement and unite them to uplift aspirational districts to inspirational districts through community participation.

Meanwhile, Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Meghalayas Health Minister, stressed, Diseases such as TB and cancer, if left unchecked, could lower the health indicators of our state. As such, it is vital that we work collectively to ensure their eradication. We must also ensure equal opportunities for all citizens to access necessary health services and facilities.

Press Release No. 166/23

UNION MINISTER VISITS RI BHOI DISTRICT

The Union Minister, Ministry of  Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya  visited Ri Bhoi District today the 15th  October and chaired the review meeting on Aspirational District and Aspirational Block Programme at Conference hall DC’s office, Nongpoh in the midst presence of  Dr Ampareen Lyngdoh, State Minister in-charge of Health and Family Welfare, Information and Public Relations Dept etc, Govt. of Meghalaya, Smt. L.Sweety Changsan IAS, Addl Secretary of Health and Family Welfare MeH and FW and Mission Director NHM Govt. of India, Shri Ramkumar S. IAS, Jt. Secretary of Health and Family Welfare and Mission Director NHM Govt. of Meghalaya, Shri Arpit Upadhyaya IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Shri Giri Prasad IPS Superintendent of Police, Addl. DCs, EACs and other officials from different line departments attended in the meeting to review on developmental works undertaking for Ri Bhoi Aspirational District on one of  key indicators Health and Nutrition and also inspections to Health and Wellness Centre of Umsawnongkharai village Ri Bhoi District.

In the review meeting, presentations on the progress of works done for health and nutrition being carried out in the district under Aspirational District Programme have been briefed by Shri Eric K Dkhar, MCS, BDO of Umling Block.

The Union Minister, in his speech at the review meeting, said that Aspirational District and Aspirational Block Programme aim to transform those under-developed districts in the country including Ri Bhoi District to ensure them with inclusive growth and all round developments in different key indicators especially health sector. Moreover, in the review session expressed satisfaction over the work done by the district and meanwhile urged them to still continuing  hardwork and tireless effort in order to ensure citizen with a sustainable and holistic development.