Harsh Vardhan lays foundation stone for Mon Medical College

February 27, 2021 204 Views No Comment

MON, FEBRUARY 26 (MExN): The foundation stone for the Mon Medical College was laid by Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan on February 26.

Speaking during the occasion, Dr Harsh Vardhan informed that at present there are 562 medical colleges in the country, out of which 286 are in the government sector while 276 are in the private sector. Another 175 medical colleges are also in the process of development. Against 52,000 MBBS seats in 2013-14, there are now 84,000 UG seats. Several medical commissions are also being set up. Meanwhile, around 1,50,000 health and wellness centres have been set up in the country.

The Health Minister lauded the efforts of healthcare workers in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and said India is ahead of many developed countries in the war against the pandemic.

He stated that the laying of the foundation stone shows the commitment of the Government to ensure that the people of the most remote parts of the country are not deprived of development. He congratulated Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and Health Minister, S Pangnyu Phom for the proactive steps taken towards bringing the project into reality.

The Union Minister also urged the people of Mon to contribute towards the realisation of the Prime Minister’s dream for a new India by 2022.

“A new India where there is a smile in all faces, where the children are safe and secure, where dignity of women is valued, where senior citizens are taken care of and proper healthcare for the poor is available, a country filled with humanism and nationalism”, he added.

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, in his address, said that the Mon Medical College will not only benefit Mon and Nagaland but also the people living in neighbouring states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and even Myanmar. He said the college will be run by the State Government under PPP mode.

Rio further said the Mon Medical College is one of the 75 colleges to be constructed in the districts of the country where people have been deprived of development and health facilities. Rio urged upon the people to make the college a centre of excellence and also think of ways to attract people to work and study there.

He also highlighted about the 390 appointments made during the pandemic in order to address the shortage of healthcare manpower in the State although fresh appointments had been banned. He appealed upon the people and the NGOs and CSOs to cooperate and support the project.

Nagaland Minister of Health & Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom said that the State at the time of Statehood inherited a deplorable healthcare infrastructure. He however said that over the years healthcare in the state has improved although much is needed to be done. He pointed out that most of the private healthcare facilities are concentrated in Kohima and Dimapur.

Due to lack of facilities and equipment in public health care, most people from the other parts of Nagaland are not able to avail proper healthcare services. However with the completion of Mon Medical College, he expressed confidence that healthcare delivery in the region would greatly improve.

The medical college has been approved at a cost Rs 325 cr under Phase III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals. It is one of two medical colleges planned for the State. The project will have a central share of Rs 292.50 cr and is slated to be completed by 2023-24.

Other dignitaries who attended the ceremony included Lok Sabha MP, Tokheho Yepthomi; Principal Secretary, Health, Amardeep S Bhatia, IAS; Mon DC, Thavaseelan K, IAS; Advisor Social Welfare, Home Guards & Civil Defence, Noke Wangnao; leaders of civil society organisations, MLAs, state BJP functionaries and a host of other dignitaries, officials, members of the medical fraternity and large number of public.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/harsh-vardhan-lays-foundation-stone-for-mon-medical-college-1