High end ultrasonography kits now adorn RIMS
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 16 2018: Expressing contentment that her persuasion to PM Narendra Modi for launching a flying dispensary/air ambulance in Manipur has almost materialized with funds for the programme being released by DoNER Ministry, Governor Dr Najma A Heptulla has assured that she will continue to highlight matters of public importance to the Central leaders.

She was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of digital radiotherapy & high end ultrasonography machines in the department of Radio Diagnosis, RIMS today at the institute's Jubilee Hall.

Conveying that she highlighted the lack of health care system in far flung areas of Manipur and communication difficulties sometime back to the Prime Minister, Heptulla informed that she asked the Prime Minister to introduce a flying dispensary in the remote parts of the State.

She said the idea came up after she was impressed on seeing the programme (flying dispensary) when she went to Australia while adding that she was also emotionally pained when she heard of many people from far flung corners of the State walking miles just to reach hospitals.

High end ultrasonography kits now adorn RIMS

The flying dispensary programme is not merely to act as an air ambulance that will have access to the far flung areas of valley and hill areas of the State only at the time of emergency need, but will travel regularly along with medical staff in those areas to treat the villagers who do not have access to healthcare attention.

If needed, the chopper will bring patients to super speciality hospitals, she said.

Appreciating that Manipuris have good food habits and the quantum of those suffering health problems like diabetes and heart attacks in Manipur are comparatively lesser compared to other parts of the country due to the good food habits, she noted that there are still many people in remote areas of the State who are denied healthcare facilities as transportation and communication system in the areas are deplorable.

She went on to say that her foremost concern in the initial days of becoming the Governor of Manipur was the healthcare system of Manipur.

Observing that health is the priority of all people and all social and economic activities of the countries are closely interlinked with health, the Governor underscored that investment for eradication of diseases like malaria, TB and prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and H1N1 is of great social value.

She then lauded RIMS saying the institute has been taking a major role in the prevention of different diseases in the State.

Heptulla further said that RIMS faculties and doctors are no less intelligent or capable in the field of research while highlighting that the institute provides a room for doing research to the interested persons.

Exuding confidence that the team of Parliamentary Standing Committee of Rajya Sabha who attended the inaugural function will highlight the grievances of the State, specially on matters related to healthcare system and backwardness of the people in the State, she also drew the attention of the team to lobby with the PM and the Health Ministry.

The Governor then conveyed that RIMS despite having many infrastructural shortages had produced 3249 doctors, 1583 specialist doctors and 54 M Phils (clinical psychologists) apart from opening a new nursing institute and a dental hospital in recent years.

Stating that RIMS has become the only regional institute in the North East region that caters service to the whole North East States in terms of medical, dental and nursing education, she emphasized on the need to upgrade the infrastructure of the institute.

She also conveyed gratitude to Samsung Electronics Private Limited for donating the machines inaugurated today while expressing hope that many other noble persons will come forward to help the institute.