Centre determined to take RIMS to greater heights : Dr Vardhan

Imphal, Sep 14 (DIPR)
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has assured that the Central Government would take forward all the proposals made by Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Member of Parliament Dr RK Ranjan Singh, regarding the enhan-cement of medical facilities in the State, with utmost sincerity and commitment.
He was speaking to media persons on the sideline of the 48th foundation day celebration and graduation ceremony of RIMS which was held at its Jubilee Hall, today.
The Union Minister said that the Central Government has a firm determination and dream to take RIMS to greater heights.
In the past five years, Dr Harsh Vardhan said, the North East region has witnessed phenomenal deve- lopmental changes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said that PM Modi has a vision to develop the North East region at par with other parts of the country.
Earlier, speaking at the function as the chief guest, Dr Harsh Vardhan opined that the quality of a good doctor is determined by the manner he/she shows to patients.
Doctors should never adopt a casual approach but work with great precision and focus while giving treatment to patients because people are looking at them with great hopes, he observed.
On the other hand, being a doctor, they should feel blessed and privileged as it is one of the most sought after and respected professions, Dr Harsh Vardhan said, adding that they should also reciprocate it to the society by rendering dedicated service with great sincerity.
The Minister said that RIMS has been ranked at 28th position in medical category in All India Rankings 2019, and this was possible due to the dedicated hard work of the teachers, students, doctors and medical, paramedical and non-medical staff of the institute.
Speaking at the occasion as the functional president, Chief Minister N Biren Singh sought Dr Harsh Vardhan's intervention in early commencement of air ambulance service with RIMS as one of the centres.
He said that being a topographically difficult State, Manipur requires the service at the earliest and said that the DoNER Ministry had already sanctioned Rs 25 crore to start the service.
To meet quality health-care needs of the people of the State, the Chief Minister also urged the Union Minister to upgrade RIMS to the status of AIIMS.
He also sought the Central Government's assistance in setting up another State-run medical college and opening a Neurosurgery Unit and Stroke-Care Centre at JNIMS.
Stating that Manipur is a poor State, the Chief Minister also requested Dr Harsh Vardhan to extend help in setting up a Cancer Hospital in the State as well.
The Chief Minister said that several milestones have been achieved in the last two and half years of the BJP-led Government in the State when it comes to the health sector.
Till date 74,121 families have been enrolled under Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT), out of which 14,568 have benefited from the scheme involving a total amount of Rs 20.74 crore.
So far, 5,907 patients benefited under the scheme at RIMS involving a total claim of Rs 933.48 lakh. At present, six private hospitals are also implementing CMHT, Biren said, adding that efforts are underway to empanel hospitals outside the State for implementing the scheme for the benefit of people from the State.
2,144 claims have been made under PMJAY- Ayushman Bharat at RIMS, involving a total claim of Rs 3.80 crore, he said.
Till date, enrolment for 1,58,421 families in the State have been approved, out of which 5,777 have benefited involving a total claim amount of Rs 10.86 crore, the Chief Minister added.
The Government had also launched 20 mobile laboratories to enable people in interior villages to access healthcare in their own homes apart from deploying ten advanced life support ambulances, N Biren said.
244 doctors have been recruited through the Manipur Public Service Commission. Generic medicines are made available in 26 health institutions. Two 50 bedded District Hospitals in Chandel and Tamenglong have been commissioned, he added.
The Chief Minister further said that establishment of eight new district hospitals have been approved.
53 diagnostic tests are being done free of cost while free dialysis for BPL is also available at JNIMS. A dental college was also established in JNIMS, the Chief Minister said.
MP Dr RK Ranjan, Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan, RIMS Director Prof A Santa Singh, RIMS Medical Superintendent Prof Ch Arunkumar, Dean (Academics) A Rogen, Prof Th Sudhirchandra of Surgery Department and Retired Professor Dr Y Iboton also graced the occasion as dignitaries.
Earlier, Dr Harsh Vardhan handed out gold medals and certificates to MBBS graduates belonging to the class of 2014 batch.
He also released 'Remedy', the annual magazine of RIMS Students' Union.
On the other hand, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries also distributed gold medals and certificates to Post Graduate and MBBS Graduates, who secured top position in different medical subjects.