Deputy CM lays foundation stone of IMA House of Arunachal at Papunallah

Arunachal Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein laid the foundation stone of the IMA (Indian Medical Association) House of Arunachal Pradesh at 2 mile Papunallah, Naharlagun today.

In his inaugural speech, Mein cited health as the most important sector and said healthcare is important for every individual for a healthy society. He said that to remain fit is the ‘call of the day’ and to remain fit, one needs to have the advice of the doctors as well.

He said that covid 19 pandemic has waked up us in the health sector. “Earlier, we did not have a proper health care system but after the Covid, we have realized the importance of the health care system and now the upgradation of robust infrastructure in the health sector is being done to provide modern health care facilities to the people of the State”, he added.

Laid the foundation stone of IMA (Indian Medical Association) House of Arunachal at 2 mile Papunallah, Naharlagun today.

Health is one of the most important sector and IMA has been rendering yeoman’s services in the field of health care delivery, disease control & eradication. pic.twitter.com/8sPb6G4P1c

— Chowna Mein (@ChownaMeinBJP) November 9, 2022

Further, he added that Arunachal have many qualified and good doctors and a very good healthcare system is also coming up in the State capital. He informed that the premiere Hospitals in the State Capital like TRIHMS, RK Mission and some private hospitals are providing the best treatments at cheaper costs as compared to the hospitals in neighbouring states.

He said, “I invite people of my constituency to the State capital, Itanagar for their treatment instead of sending them to Tinsukia & Dibrugarh in Assam and many of them get cured and go back home satisfied”.  

He further said that some of our District Hospitals are provided with modern medical equipment like CT scans, X-ray Machines, and Telemedicine facilities but due to a shortage of manpower like specialists, pathologists and technicians, they remain non-functional. We need to come up with a mechanism to look into both requirements so that the equipment procured and provided for the district hospitals does not remain unused for a lack of technicians/manpower.

Citing the drug menace as a big challenge for society, he urged the members of IMA to involve and extend their expertise for the establishment and functioning of a Rehabilitation Centre in the State.

Lauding the humanitarian services rendered by IMA, he said, “I will continue to support IMA as long as I am in the chair”. He assured to provide balance amount of Rs 3 crore requires to complete the building as grants-in-aid to the IMA.

Jego Ori, Secretary of IMA Arunachal State Branch highlighted the activities of IMA and informed that IMA has been rendering yeoman’s services in the field of health care delivery, disease control and eradication. Its services to the community during natural calamities like earthquakes, drought, flood, famines and epidemics in our country have been highly lauded and appreciated, he said.

He further informed that the establishment of IMA-House will further strengthen the Medical fraternity and boost their spirit to translate their vision into reality.

He informed that the State Govt had sanctioned Rs 3.00 Cr in the last budget as grants-in-aid to the IMA Arunachal State branch for the construction of the IMA house and generated Rs 1.50 Cr through self-contributions by the members and donations and still facing a fund deficit of Rs 2.98 Cr. He also informed that the land for the construction of the IMA House was donated by Haa Tatu, Proprietor of Kenge Construction free of cost.

It was informed that the IMA house once come up will cater to the various need of the medical fraternity like accommodation for visiting Doctors, guest speakers, external examiners of upcoming medical college, a venue for CME and Conferences, and for running ambulance services from the IMA house.

Dr Lobsang Tsetim, President and Dr Kesang Wangdi Thongdok, Vice-President, IMA-Arunachal also spoke on the occasion.

Among others, Dr Emi Rumi, Director of Health & Family Welfare, Dean TRIHMS, Dr Shyamal Bhattacharya and Chief Medical Superintendent TRIHMS, Dr Dukhum Raina were also present.