Health insurance scheme in the offing: CM
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 16 2017: Chief Minister N Biren has stated that the Government is planning to introduce a health insurance scheme to provide financial assistance to those who cannot afford medical treatment.

He was speaking at the North East Healthcare Conference "Building Ecosystem for Quality Healthcare Delivery", organised by Confederation of Indian Industry held today at City Convention Centre, here.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, the Chief Minister stated that such conference would definitely give a boost in improving healthcare infrastructure and open up medical tourism in the region: N Biren said that air mobile healthcare facilities would be made available soon in Manipur.

He further stressed that the State Government has already approached the Union External Affairs Ministry to introduce visa on arrival facility for foreign Nationals, citizens of Myanmar in particular, so that it can enhance medical tourism in the State.

Regional air connectivity would be there soon, he added.

He urged the investors across the country to coordinate and exchange ideas with the local entrepreneurs and doctors to boost not only medical tourism but also other sectors of the State.

Claiming that India is being transformed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, N Biren mentioned that the Central Government gave its nod for establishment of a 100-bed-ded cancer hospital and a 60-bedded mental hospital in the State.

Highlighting some of the initiatives taken up recently in healthcare sector, the Chief Minister informed that various drugs items are made available at subsidized rates in 26 State-run hospitals and 57 notified medical tests would be done free of cost in RIMS, JNIMS, seven district hospitals, 17 community health centres, 85 primary health centres and nine urban primary health centres.

He further said that the present Government is committed to providing better healthcare services in the State and almost all the diagnosis would be made free of cost soon.

Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar said that access to public healthcare sector had significantly changed and its services should be affordable to all.

Highlighting the limited private healthcare sector and the shortage of doctors, paramedics and well-trained health workers in the State, he stressed that there is an urgent need to infuse investment in healthcare sectors including Primary Health Centres to District Hospitals.

He further said that Manipur has the potential to enhance medical tourism and deliver quality healthcare services to the people.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Dr J Suresh Babu, Commissioner (Health) Sumant Singh, Former Director, AIIMS, Dr RC Deka, Chairman, Eastern region Healthcare Sub-Committee, Sanjay Prasad, Co-Chairman and Managing Director, Kauvery Hospital, Rupak Barua and many medical professionals attended the function.

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