Nagaland finally gets its first medical college

•    NIMSR is located at Phriebagie, Kohima
•    100 seats provided in the medical college
•    85 reserved for Nagaland, 15 for AIQ

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 14

Fulfilling a long cherished dream of the people of Nagaland, the first medical college in Nagaland (Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (NIMSR) was formally inaugurated today in Kohima by Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare And Chemical & Fertilizers, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Nagaland Minister for Health & Family Welfare, P. Paiwang Konyak.

The medical college is located at Phriebagie, Kohima.

Dr Mandaviya said that this college is not only to fulfill the medical education purpose but will serve as research institute in finding research and solution for rare diseases. It will address Nagaland health issues and gives medical education opportunities to the youth of Nagaland, the Union minister stated. 

Dr Mandaviya said that the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to provide good health care delivery system to the people of the country, and also to make health care services accessible and affordable to the citizens.

Talking on manpower for health centres, he said that for doctors and nurses, Government of India has increased medical seats since last nine year and it has doubled to 1.6 lakhs in the country.

Dr Mandaviya underscored that in India, healthcare is not a business or commerce but a service to others. He cited the example of providing Hydroxychloroquine to other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic as a testament to India's commitment to humanitarian service. He also emphasized the country's dedication to developing cheap and affordable quality medicines for all. 

Acknowledging Nagaland's enormous potential for development, highlighting the abundance of resources within the state, the Union Minister also spoke about the potential for medical tourism in Nagaland, where individuals can seek treatment while also enjoying the beauty of the region.

100 MBSS seats have been provided in this medical college in Nagaland, he said and assured that the seat will be increased later. Out of 100 students here, 85 are for Nagaland (Reserved) while 15 (All India Quota) from the states.

On the demand of Indian qualified nurses in Japan, he said that learning Japanese language was one criteria that the Japanese counterpart had asked for, while also preferring nurses from the Northeast region.

To this, he said, Japanese language course has started in two nursing colleges in Assam.

The Union minister said that in the coming days too, other language courses will be incorporated across the nursing colleges in the country so as to provide opportunity for the youth to work outside the country.

‘GoI to provide all requirements for growth of health sector in the state’
“Today I see the future of NIMSR that it will be put in a location where global people will come to Nagaland for treatment as well as come as a medical tourist,” Dr Mandaviya said. He assured that Government of India will provide all requirements for the growth of health sector in Nagaland.

Families who cannot afford medical expenses can also avail facilities like Chief Minister’s Health Insurance (CMIHS), Ayushman Bharat Yojana from this medical college, he said.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that Jan Aushadhi Kendra has been initiated and one such Kendras will also be opened in this medical college.

Through more than 10000 Jan Aushadhi Kendra, cheap and quality medicines are made available for the people of the country, Dr Mandaviya said. He also requested Chief Minister to set up a Jan Aushadhi Kendra each in all government hospitals in the state.

Govt of India will provide all necessities to the state so that people can receive affordable health care facilities and free medicines, and see that no family faces any death due to inaccessible health care facilities, the Union Minister said.