Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government has taken healthcare on priority, especially after the surge in the COVID19 pandemic, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said on Sunday informing that 18 district hospitals were being upgraded.
“Several district hospitals have been already dedicated to the people after upgradation. Works on others are nearing completion. We have not remained confined to the district hospitals but are reaching the primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs) too. This financial year, 60 identified PHCs and CHCs will be upgraded, one each in every Assembly constituency, into Model Units, which would be called Golden Jubilee PHCs and CHCs,” he said.
The Chief Minister said this while attending the 15th Foundation Day celebration of the Itanagar-based Heema Multispecialty Hospital.
Appreciating the hospital’s founder and CMD Dr Byabang Rana for opening the private hospital in the heart of the state capital, Khandu called upon local entrepreneurs to invest in similar ventures that would help people in need. He said the health sector is one of the most demanding and the government alone cannot fulfill the healthcare needs of the people.
“Deteriorating health is one of the biggest negative effects of modernity and development. As we become more dependent on technology, our lifestyle takes an impact. There is not much physical activitiy these days, which has made man prone to various diseases and therefore demands better and extensive healthcare facilities,” Khandu pointed out.
He informed that the state government has recently adopted an Industrial Investment Policy to assist private investments in the state. “I would suggest that investment in healthcare and tourism sectors be included under the policy so that private hospitals like Heema may also be benefited,” he said.
Lauding the hospital management for virtually inaugurating a new branch of Heema at Nirjuli as part of the day’s programme, Khandu requested them to spread out to other districts, if possible from Pasighat, the state’s oldest city.
He also endorsed legislator and Advisor (Health) Balo Raja’s appeal to the hospital management to open one branch at Palin in Kurung Kumey district as the founders of the hospital hail from the district. “I appreciate the management for promptly accepting the request. I believe people should give back to their home district in whatever way possible,” Khandu observed.
Earlier, the Chief Minister dedicated to the people new facilities of MRI 1.5 Tesla, Elastography 4D Ultrasound, Histopathology and Cytopathology laboratory, one new Gynaecology and Obstetric ward and two floors of the dedicated parking lot in the hospital’s new building.
Besides MLA Raja and Heema Hospital’s CMD Dr Rana, state’s Chief Secretary in-charge Dr Sharat Chauhan, TRIHMS Director Dr Moji Jini, and the hospital’s Medical Superintendent Dr Kesang Wangdi Thongdok were present on the occasion.
