NIMSR will enhance healthcare delivery system in Nagaland: Minister Paiwang

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 14

Nagaland Health & Family Welfare Minister P Paiwang Konyak today maintained that the inauguration of the first medical college in Nagaland - Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (NIMSR) will enhance healthcare delivery system in the state, by offering quality education to medical professionals, conducting research and providing specialized care to patients.

“This college will also provide a platform for medical research facilities and capacity building besides medical education,” he said while addressing the inaugural function here today.

Stating that medical education has become one of the most desired streams of study amongst the youth, Paiwang was hopeful that this college will help fulfill the dreams and aspirations of many.

Nagaland has a ratio of 5,386 persons per doctor
Today, he said Nagaland has a ratio of 5,386 persons per doctor, which is one of the lowest in the country and as on date, there is acute shortage of doctors and “we were also deeply confronted during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The minister was optimistic that a substantial number of MBBS seats can be increased in the coming years, making affordable medical education available and mitigate the shortage of doctors in the state and country as well.

The inauguration of this college is the fulfilment of the dream of establishing a Medical College in Nagaland that began during 2013-2014 when state submitted a DPR under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of “Establishment of New Medical Colleges” attached with the existing District/Referral Hospital, he said.

He said the state received approval with grant of Rs. 189 crores and permission to establish the first state run Medical College with 100 MBBS seats in Kohima.

And finally, with the approval of National Medical Council, formal classes have commenced since 1st September 2023 with the first batch of 100 students.

As the project began, innumerable challenges were faced. Nevertheless, the minister said that the state team comprising of the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Team NIMSR, Executive Engineer-Medical Engineering Department & others have managed to overcome the hardships and placed the required infrastructure to commence the academic session as committed by the Government.

‘Envision Nagaland as an important destination for medical tourism’
In the coming years, the minister envision Nagaland as an important destination for Medical Tourism offering quality health care, combined with the alluring natural beauty of our State.

He thanked Prime Minister of India for his relentless support in promoting infrastructure projects in the state, especially NIMSR, the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Chemicals and Fertilizers for the positive support and commitment in this Project, Chief Minister for his unwavering support in making this Project successful.

Paiwang also acknowledged the World Bank for their support extended to the Project and for funding the Knowledge Centre (Lecture Theatre & Library).

He also thanked the IQ-VIA consultancy for Designing & Developing Nagaland Medical College Kohima from 2017 to 2022, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) who will be funding the 400 bedded teaching hospital for NIMSR, officers and staffs of the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, NIMSR team led by Prof. Dr Soumya Chakraborty, Medical Engineering Department, contractors, landowners and other line departments who were and are still associated with the project.