CM lauds Shija for providing quality healthcare service
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, December 22 2021: Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday inaugurated Shija Academy of Health Sciences (SAHS), the first home-grown private medical college in the North East region, at Langol in Imphal West district.

Works Minister Th Biswajit Singh, Shija Hospitals chairman cum managing director Dr Palin Khundongbam, SAHS director and dean Dr Maisnam Amuba Singh, Shija Hospitals Director (Medical Services) Dr Jugindro Sorokhaibam, SAHS medical superintendent Dr Kaushik Debnath, Shija Hospitals Board of Directors Dr Bonney Khundongbam and Gaitri Maibam also attended the function as dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Biren stressed the need for everybody to maintain good health and uphold decorum so that the state progresses in every sector and join the global race for development.

He also lauded Shija Hospitals for its contributions towards providing quality healthcare not only to the people of the state but also to the whole North East region and neighbouring countries.

He also acknowledged that the private hospital contributed a lot in fighting COVID pandemic, while expressing his satisfaction on learning that 57,000 patients have received treatment under CMHT and PMJAY at the Hospital so far.

Stating that the government alone cannot meet all the necessities of the people, the CM stressed the need to encourage the PPP model in every sector.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also directed the states in the recent Chief Ministers' Conference to promote the PPP model, he added.

Maintaining that the state government is ever ready to extend all possible co-operations to private companies in all their endeavours, Biren informed that the government had given approval to run the 20 KL Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) Plant at Porompat through PPP model.

While conceding that the government had a hard time in tackling Covid pandemic, he appreciated the efforts of health professionals and all the frontline warriors.

He urged the people to be careful at all times as the pandemic is yet to fully subside.

The CM then said that people respect all other professionals except the politicians.

"It is a challenge of mine to see that politicians get the respect they deserved," he contended.

Biren said: "The establishment of medical colleges, a cancer hospital and other developments are due to the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the state.

It is a joyous moment for the government to have been able to rectify some of the wrongs to bring about peace.

As such, the state is now able to stand at the same platform as other states and even countries".

Assuring to do all that is required, Biren informed that the government is planning to set up a medical hub with Shija in Moreh as part of medical tourism.

For this, the government is exploring funding options.

Flight connections between Imphal-Myartmar and Imphal-Bangaldesh will be set up under the URAN scheme.

Although Rs 700 crore had been sanctioned for renovation of Imphal International Airport, a re-tender was conducted due to technical errors.

Additionally, helicopter services for Imphal-Moreh and Imphal-Tamenglong-Jiribam route will soon be introduced under the Aviation Ministry, he added.

Regarding SHAS, Biren informed that the college will have a capacity of around 150 seats, with the quota being equally divided between the government and Shija.

Addressing the gathering, Works minister Th Biswajit said that the country has witnessed a sharp increase in healthcare facilities during the tenure of PM Narendra Modi.

The establishment of a private medical college would prove to be a boon to the state, he noted while observing that a huge number of Manipuri students travel outside the state to pursue medical courses every year, leading to loss of human resources.

In this regard, the minister also appreciated Shija Hospitals for establishing a private medical college within a short span of time.

Manipur has a huge potential to become a healthcare destination in the North East region, hie said.

A souvenir which chronicles the 36 years of service by Shija Hospitals was also released on the occasion.

Simple gifts were also presented to Sorokhaibam Ibemhal and Keisham Irabot, who played a key role in the establishment of the hospital.

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