RIMS annual meet MoS : (H&FW) assures aid to elevate RIMS
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 27 2020: Expressing keen desire for RIMS to gain National importance, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Ashwini Kumar Choubey has assured that he would do everything in his power to ensure that RIMS is developed to the level of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

He made the statement at the inauguration of RIMS annual meet which was held at the institute's jubilee hall today.

Speaking on the sideline of the event, the Union Minister continued that during a meeting with the Governor and the Chief Minister today, the Governor intimated him about the desire to raise the standard of RIMS to that of AIIMS and develop every aspect of the institute.

RIMS annual meet MoS : (H&FW) assures aid to elevate RIMS

Citing the Governor, Ashwini Kumar Choubey said that RIMS can handle around 40,000 in and out patients, including patients coming from neighbouring countries like Myanmar.

There are also reports of people from States like Bihar going to RIMS for treatment and that RIMS can perform most of the complex procedures that AIIMS can.

She also said that the Nephrology and Neurology Departments of RIMS have excelled in their works, which is very encouraging, the Union Minister conveyed, expressing desire for the institute to be given National importance instead of just giving regional importance as a premiere medical institute for the North East.

Ashwini Kumar Choubey further conveyed the need to enhance the intake capacity of RIMS with regard to MBBS and BDS courses apart from opening MDS course.

Informing that the BJP led NDA Government in the Centre is planning to resolve the shortage of doctors in the country, he said that the the plan seeks to establish 75 medical colleges at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore each across the country, specially in less developed regions/areas.

The Government is aiming to upgrade all the district hospitals with 300 beds to the level of medical institutions by the year 2022, he added.

If these medical colleges begin to function effectively, they will be able to offer medical courses to more than 16,000 candidates, the Union Minister said, further explaining that even though the district hospitals are required to have 300 beds for transformation into a medical college, the number will be relaxed to 200 beds for the North East region.

Claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central leaders acknowledge the significance of the North East region, Ashwini Kumar Choubey said that this is the main reason why many Central leaders have been continuously visiting the region.

Speaking about North East and Manipur, the Union Minister remarked that Manipuri culture is famous not only all over the country but around the world as well.

On the other hand, replying to a query raised by media persons, he assured that the Central Government will ensure there is no shortage of scanners for Covid-19.The Central Government has taken up every necessary measures to protect its citizens from the outbreak which is wreaking havoc across many countries all over the globe.

Speaking on the occasion, RIMS Director A Santa narrated that the institute has bagged many prestigious awards for cleanliness and other areas.

After the speech, Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey held a meeting with RIMS officials.

Earlier, the Union Minister also inspected RIMS casualty, trauma centre, college of nursing and dental college buildings.