Nagaland: Union health minister lays foundation for medical college

Kohima: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan laid the foundation stone for the state’s second medical college at Mon on Friday. The government medical college will be set up by upgrading the District Hospital in Mon.

The new medical college is among the 75 medical colleges that the Centre has approved for setting up across the country. It is part of the health ministry’s centrally-sponsored scheme for ‘Establishment of new Medical Colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals’.

Speaking on the occasion, Vardhan recalled the one basic condition is that the proposed district for setting up of new medical colleges should be “inhabited by poor people who have been deprived of the various facilities in various sectors for years”.

He said that when the ministry requested the state’s to send their proposals under this scheme along with Detailed Project Report as per guidelines for consideration. The state government had written to the prime minister and in no time made a detailed report for the new medical college—which is another condition for the proposal.

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According to him, one of the highlights for the proposal of the 38-acre medical college was contribution of NGOs and people having a common consensus for the creation of the medical college in the district.

Further, the medical college will not only help the people of Nagaland but also of Assam, Arunachal and the neighbouring country—Myanmar.

The union health minister also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his commitment to bring development to the Northeastern region. He said that the PM is a dreamer who keeps analysing the problems of a country and converts them to a visionary program, which is then converted to missions for implementation involving everyone.

With the new medical college, he is hopeful that the needy may receive the required attention and care. He also congratulated the people of Mon and the state government. Vardhan also acknowledged the COVID warriors of the country who made selfless contributions to the country.  

“Delighted to have been joined by my dear friend & #Nagaland CM Sh @Neiphiu_Rio Ji to lay the foundation stone of Mon Medical College. The new medical college will add to the Govt’s sustained efforts for the growth & progress of the State,” Vardhan said on Twitter.

Taking to Twitter, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said: “I’m grateful to @drharshvardhan for personally coming to lay the foundation stone of Medical College Mon. My proud privilege to be a part of the historic day. To provide health care to our people & particularly to the underprivileged & far-flung areas is a long cherished dream”.

In a subsequent tweet, the CM wrote: “This is the beginning of our journey in fulfilling our dream. My best wishes to @HealthNagaland, citizens of Mon and to all of us and that we will partner in realizing our dream for the welfare of the people”.

Nagaland health minister S Pangnyu Phom also took to Twitter saying: “Successfully laid the foundation stone of Medical College, Mon today by the Hon’ble Union Minister @drharshvardhan in the presence of HCM @Neiphiurio & Hon’ble members of Legislative Assembly and MP”.

“I appeal all, particularly our Konyak brothers & sisters, to extend cooperation to the State Govt. & the Dept for early completion of the project. Appreciate the keen interest & support shown by the NDA Govt for development & upliftment of NE & Nagaland in particular,” he added.

In September last year, Phom had informed that the Centre approved setting up of the second medical college in Nagaland. The first medical college of the state, which is under construction in Kohima is implemented under the same scheme.

Nagaland CM Rio in the budget 2021-22 highlighted that the state’s first sanctioned medical college is likely to start next year. “We plan to apply for starting the Kohima Medical College from the academic year 2022-23 to the National Medical Commission. It will start initially with the NHAK [Naga Hospital Authority Kohima] as a Teaching Hospital,” the chief minister had said.

Rio also informed that the medical college which costs Rs 325 crore would be completed by 2023-24.

Vardhan reached the state on Thursday where he visited the Chiristian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR). He will also be visiting the Kohima medical college on Saturday after which he will be headed for Manipur.

Lok Sabha MP Tokheho Yepthomi and several legislators from the state attended the foundation stone laying ceremony.