Experts from DGHS visit RIMS
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 05 2026: A panel of experts from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, visited the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, today to review the institute's activities under the Centre of Excellence (CoE) component of the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021, and the Mercury Project.

A press release issued by RIMS said that the visiting panel of experts, comprising Dr Geetha Anandan, Additional Director General, DGHS, Government of India; Dr L Swasticharan, Director and DDG, Directorate General of Health Services, MoHFW; Dr Ankita Piplani, Project Coordinator, Mercury Project, WHO, MoHFW; and Dr Amita Moirangthem, Additional Professor, Department of Genetics, SGPGI, Lucknow, was felicitated by Prof G Sunil Kumar Sharma, Director, RIMS, Imphal, at Sushruta Hall, followed by a meeting attended by Prof N Sanjib Singh, Medical Superintendent, RIMS Hospital; the Principals of the Dental College and College of Nursing; Heads of Departments; the Nodal Officer, Rare Diseases, RIMS; and nursing officials.

The meeting focused on reviewing RIMS's progress as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Rare Diseases under the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021, and assessing activities under the Mercury Project.

It said that the project aims to completely phase out the use of mercury-containing medical equipment in healthcare facilities, including mercury thermometers and mercury-based blood pressure measuring instruments (sphygmomanometers), and promote the adoption of safer, mercury-free alternatives.

It also emphasised the proper collection, packaging, storage and environmentally responsible management of existing mercury waste in accordance with applicable guidelines.

During the interactive session, Dr Geetha Anandan emphasised the importance of awareness and early identification of rare diseases, particularly at the grassroots level.

She urged Government and private institutions to collaborate through the platform, highlighting that a Centre of Excellence (CoE) must go beyond being a designation on paper by ensuring visible services, trained teams, timely decision-making and measurable outcomes.

She appreciated RIMS's progress and encouraged the sharing of experiences and challenges to support other institutions aspiring to become Centres of Excellence.

Discussions also covered the Minamata Convention, particularly its provisions on the proper collection, packaging and storage of mercury waste, as well as the need to eliminate the use of mercury-containing medical devices in healthcare settings.

The Nodal Officer, Rare Diseases, RIMS, presented an overview of the progress and activities undertaken under the Rare Diseases Programme, followed by observations and comments from the visiting panel of experts.

The panel expressed satisfaction with the progress made by RIMS under the Rare Diseases Programme and appreciated the institute's efforts and initiatives towards strengthening its role as a Centre of Excellence, it added.

The programme also includes a visit to the Rare Diseases Laboratories and mercury storage facilities within the institute to assess the existing infrastructure and related activities, including measures undertaken towards the phase-out of mercury-containing medical equipment and the safe management of mercury waste.

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