IMPHAL | June 16: Chief minister N. Biren Singh said the state government is planning to introduce a health insurance scheme to provide financial assistance to those who cannot afford medical treatment. Air mobile healthcare facilities would be made available soon in Manipur, he added.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the North East Healthcare Conference “Building Ecosystem for Quality Healthcare Delivery”, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry held today at City Convention Centre, Imphal.
The chief minister maintained that the government is committed to providing better healthcare services in the State and almost all the diagnosis would be made free of cost soon.
Biren pointed out such conference would definitely give a boost in improving healthcare infrastructure and open up medical tourism in the region. In this regard the state government has already approached the Union external affairs ministry to introduce visa on arrival facility for foreign nationals, citizens of Myanmar in particular.
Further Biren urged the investors across the country to coordinate and exchange ideas with the local entrepreneurs and doctors to boost not only medical tourism but also other sectors of the State.
Reiterating that India is being transformed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Biren informed that the central government gave its nod for the establishment of a 100-bedded cancer hospital and 60-bedded mental hospital in the state.
Highlighting some of the recently taken initiatives in healthcare sector, chief minister said that various drugs items are made available at subsidised rates in 26 state-run hospitals and 57 notified medical tests would be done free of cost in RIMS, JNIMS, seven district hospitals, 17 community health centres, 85 primary health centres and nine urban primary health centres.
Health and family eelfare minister L. Jayantakumar Singh said that access to public healthcare sector had significantly changed and its services should be affordable to all. He stressed that there is an urgent need to infuse investment in healthcare sectors including primary health centres to district hospitals.
He further said Manipur has the potential to enhance medical tourism and delivering quality healthcare services to the people. He continued however there is limited private healthcare sector and the shortage of doctors, paramedics and well-trained health workers in the state.
Richa S. Debgupta, vice-president of Fortis Healthcare speaking on the occasion said, “The healthcare indicators in Manipur, is comparatively better than that of average India. There is a huge potential of growth for every year in Asian countries in medical tourism.”
Rupak Barua, co-chairman of CII Healthcare Sub-committee said, “According to the statistics, approximately 700 students are studying in China due to the lack of good medical colleges in Northeast. There is the need for establishment of affordable institutions with good infrastructure.”
Additional chief secretary (Home) J Suresh Babu, commissioner (Health) Sumant Singh, former director, AIIMS, Dr. R.C. Deka, chairman, Eastern Region Healthcare Sub Committee, Sanjay Prasad, co-chairman, managing director, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai, Rupak Barua, medical professionals attended the function.
Source: Imphal Free Press
