CM envisions 500 new doctors in five years
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, November 06 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday laid the foundation stone for Raj Medici ty Multi Speciality Hospital, which is to be constructed at Khurai Chingangbam Leikai in Imphal East district.

The foundation stone laying ceremony was also attended by Works minister Govindas Konthoujam, Health and Family Welfare minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution (CAF & PD) minister L Susindro Meitei and Raj Medicity chairman and managing director H Rajen as presidium members.

Speaking as the chief guest, CM Biren maintained that the government is giving priority to the health and education sectors, putting much effort to develop these two sectors.

With the increase in number of MBBS seats from 100 to 150 at JNIMS and opening of the Churachandpur Medical Col lege with 100 MBBS seats, the state can now produce over 500 MBBS doctors in five years.

This will somehow solve the problem of shortage of doctors in the state to some extent, he added.

The CM continued that following the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open a medical college in each district of the country, the state government has plan to set up medical colleges in some other districts as well.

Biren also highlighted the initiatives taken up by the government to provide accessible healthcare services to the public including CMHT, Ayushman Bharat and Health for All scheme.

He informed that more than 700 villages have been covered under the Health for All scheme and testing and check up for more than 3 lakh people had been done, adding that early testing and diagnosis of diseases would help in early treatment of the same.

Biren further appreciated the PM for putting in much emphasis on the health sector, stating that the latter had taken decision to use vernacular language as medium of teaching and learning in MBBS course.

Such an initiative will help the students to learn more thoroughly about the subjects as we learn more easily while being taught in our mother tongue, he conveyed.

Recalling the hardships faced by the people of the state during the Covid-19 pandemic due to lack of medical facilities, shortage of oxygen cylinders and supply; the CM appreciated all the officials, doctors and other medical staff concerned for their tireless efforts and contribution in successfully fighting the pandemic.

He also expressed that the contributions made by some private hospitals including Raj Medicity in saving the lives of the people during the pandemic can never be forgotten.

However, it is saddening to see negative communal rhetoric being resumed after the pandemic has subsided.

Humans have selfish nature and are prone to greed and as such, we must try to leave such negative traits behind, the CM stressed.

Biren also appealed to the doctors and other medical staff to maintain professionalism and ethics while performing their duties, as their services are very crucial for providing better healthcare services to the people.

He then continued that a cancer hospital is being constructed at JNIMS Hospital in collaboration with Karkinos company and it is likely be completed by March next year.

This will greatly benefit the people who cannot afford to go for treatment outside the state, he said and urged for extending support to the government with regarding to development and ending corruption.

The CM also informed that concrete roads will soon be constructed in Imphal urban and Greater Imphal areas, including repairing of drains.

He then appealed to all concerned not to encroach on public land including drains and ditches so as to ensure a clean and hygienic environment.

In his speech, CAF & PD minister L Susindro Meitei stated that the Multi Specialty Hospital, for which the foundation stone was laid, will provide various healthcare facilities to the people after its completion.

He also spoke on the suitability of the site where the hospital would be constructed.

Recalling the contribution of private hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic, he appreciated the initiatives of the Chief Minister in developing the healthcare sector of the state.

Raj Medicity managing director H Rajen said that since its inception in 2004 as Raj Polyclinic before renaming it as Raj Medicity in 2014, the hospital has been providing numerous services to the people.

Once the construction of the Speciality Hospital is complete, it would be able to employ around 1500 people, he conveyed.

Incepted in 2004 with only 34 beds and later upgraded to 150 bed facilities in 2014 and rechristened as Raj Medicity hospital, the hospital plays an important role in providing quality healthcare service to the people of the state, said H Rajen during his keynote address.

"In our 19 years of service in the healthcare sector, we strive for excellence to providing world class healthcare service to the people," Rajen said, while adding "keeping this in mind, we are here to set up the new hospital with world-class healthcare services".

The 400-bedded capacity hospital which will be constructed with an estimated amount of Rs 130 crore is expected to be completed in little more than two years' time.

The hospital has also roped in a Kolkata-based Resonance company for its architectural designs.

At present, Raj Medicity hospital has altogether 600 staff.

The multi-speciality hospital will be employed at least 1,500 staff, including doctors, nurses and para-medical staff, informed Rajen.

While highlighting the achievements, Rajen stated that its hospital has been providing one of the trauma centres in the state and operated round the clock.

During the pandemic, we were able to construct a dedicated 100-bedded COVID-19 hospital within three months and treated as many as 1,512 COVID-19-positive patients, said Rajen.

Manipur State Power Distribution Company Ltd chairman Tongbram Robindro, Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation chairman Khongbantabam Ibomcha, Loktak Development Authority chairman M Asnikumar, Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti, Tadubi MLA N Kayisii, Kakching MLA Mayanglambam Rameshwar, Wangkhei MLA Thangjam Arunkumar, Kumbi MLA Sanasam Premchandra, doctors and staff of Raj Medicity also attended the programme among others.

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