Imphal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 150 Bedded Critical Care Block of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal under the Prime Minister- Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission from Race Course Ground, Rajkot, Gujarat Sunday.
A formal programme was also held at the Jubilee Hall of RIMS in connection with the foundation stone laying of the Critical Care Block, with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh as the Chief Guest.
Union Minister of State for Education and External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan, Member of Parliament for Outer Manipur Constituency Dr. Lorho S Pfoze, MLA of Uripok AC Kh. Raghumani, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Vandana Jain, Director (RIMS) Dr. G. Sunil Kumar Sharma and Medical Superintendent (RIMS) Dr. N. Sanjb shared the dais with the Chief Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh congratulated the RIMS family on the new project. He stated that the Critical Care Block is very important for providing better healthcare services to the people, stating that we should be prepared for facing eventuality like the COVID-19 pandemic.
He recalled the hardship faced by the State during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the lack of oxygen to meet its demand. The Government had worked day and night to set up oxygen plants. However, under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Oxygen plants were set up across all District Headquarters, ICU beds in Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences had been increased and various other developments were taken up in the health sector, he maintained.
N. Biren further appreciated the Prime Minister for his far-sighted vision and dedication and for taking up preventive and precautionary measures in the health sector. He continued that changes and development could be seen in every sector in the State and Northeast India under his leadership.
Regarding the current law and order situation in the State, he expressed hopefulness that peace and normalcy would be restored soon. He added that talks and meetings are being held at different levels to bring an amicable solution.
Union Minister of State for Education and External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan, delivering his speech, stated that Manipur had achieved a great revolution in the health sector under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh. He spoke on the initiatives taken up by the Prime Minister in supplying oxygen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Member of Parliament (MP), Outer Manipur Constituency Dr. Lorho S Pfoze stated that the infrastructure of RIMS had developed a lot over the years. It had served as a premier institute of the State irrespective of communities, he added. He spoke on the initiatives of the Prime Minister and the Health Minister for the development of the health sector. The MP further urged the Health Ministry to upgrade RIMS to an AIIMS-like institute.
Doctors and officials of RIMS also attended the programme among others.
