Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio expressed optimism that session for State’s first medical college– Nagaland Institute of Medical Science and Research (NIMSR)– will begin from the academic session 2023-24.
Interacting with media persons after inspection of the NIMSR site at Phriebagei, P Khel here on Tuesday, Rio expressed happiness at the progress of work. He also assured that the state will provide additional funds to help complete the project in time.
The chief minister maintained that as funds sanctioned by the Centre was available for the medical college, he directed the NIMSR authorities to forward proposals for release of fund and assured that money would be released accordingly.
Rio disclosed that he was happy to see everyone working hard to complete the project as per schedule and expressed the hope that NIMSR’s infrastructure would be ready soon to begin classes in the current academic session. He also directed Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) and NIMSR authorities to make a final inspection of the entire infrastructure before the start of the MBBS classes.
He further thanked Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for supporting the project by providing fund for 400 bedded teaching hospital, in addition to the 150 sanctioned beds of the institute, thereby taking the number of total beds to 550. Rio lauded the Japanese for their benevolent and philanthropic actions in helping the needy people in different parts of the world. He also informed that the state government has proposed to make a “Peace Park’ in Nagaland in memory of the fallen Japanese soldiers during the World War II.
Rio also expressed gratitude to the services rendered by Médecins Sans Frontières for four years by supporting the doctors and staff of Mon district hospital.
Commissioner & Secretary Health & Family Welfare, Kikheto Sema disclosed that the medical college project was approved in 2014, but its execution was delayed due to several reasons, including Covid-19 pandemic, land holding system and other issues.
He said Rs 189 crore was approved initially by the Centre, which was not enough because the structures were designedas per the plain areas of other States. He disclosed that the Centre had released Rs 170.10 crore till February 18, 2019, while the State government had released its share of Rs 7.53 crore to date. He urged the government to release the pending Rs 11.375 crore for the project.
Kikheto said the State government had also requested the World Bank for Rs 21.19 crore loan for Knowledge Centre (four lecture theatres and one central library) and the work had started in January this year 2023.
He further said that as per NMC regulations, the teaching hospital should have a capacity 430 Beds by 4th Year (3rd Inspection) of starting the college i.e. by 2026. Due to instability of land and space constraints at NHAK campus, he said the 500-bed teaching hospital will be established at NIMSR campus.
Further, 150-bedded Mother and Child Hospital is also being constructed at NIMSR campus and was nearing completion
With regard to the proposal to JICA for financial support to setup an iconic 400 bedded Hospital at NIMSR campus of about Rs. 800 crore, he said the project designed was being finalized
He informed that NIMSR was expected to have a full-fledged 550 bedded hospital within the college premises from 2026-27.
Further, in view of resources constraints, Kikheto said the state government has proposed to the Centre to either convert the Medical College to AIIMS like Institute or as Regional Institute like NEIGRIHMS Shillong or RIMS Imphal or as a Central Institute.
The chief minister was accompanied by H&FW minister Paiwang Konyak, chief secretary J Alam, principal secretary (home) Abhijit Sinha, H&FW commissioner and secretary Y Kikheto Sema, principal director Dr. Vibeituonuo M Sachu, JICA officials and other senior government officials.
Rio on students studying in Manipur: Meanwhile, talking to media persons on the sidelines of the inspection, chief minister Neiphiu Rio said that the issue of students, particularly medical students, who had returned from strife-torn Manipur were discussed with health minister and senior officials so that necessary arrangements could be made for the students.
While stating that the situation was still tense, but reportedly under control, Rio was hopeful that students could return to their institutions.
Expressing serious concern over the situation on Manipur, Rio, however, refused to comment on the matter. “Being a neighbouring state, I do not want to make unnecessary comments,” he added.
According health department officials, except for two-three students, most of the medical students from Nagaland have returned to Imphal for their exams, which was rescheduled on the request of Nagaland government.