ITANAGAR:
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, on May 29, said that deteriorating health is one the biggest pitfalls of modernity and development.
“As we become more dependent on technology, our lifestyle takes a toll. There are not many physical activities these days, which has made man prone to various diseases and therefore, better and extensive healthcare facilities are the need of the hour,” said Khandu, addressing the the 15th Foundation Day celebration of the Heema Hospital in Itanagar.
Deliberating on the importance of modern healthcare system, Khandu said that the government has taken health as one of its priorities, especially after the pandemic, and 18 district hospitals are being upgraded.
“Several district hospitals have been already dedicated to the people after upgradation. Work on others is nearing completion. We have not remained confined to the district hospitals alone, and are reaching out to the primary health centres and community health centres as well. 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 informed.
He also lauded the hospital’s chairman-cum-managing director and founder Byabang Rana for opening a private hospital in the state capital.
“Fifteen years ago, one of the best decisions was taken…to open a multi-speciality hospital in the heart of Itanagar,” he said, calling upon local entrepreneurs to invest in similar ventures to help the needy.
The chief minister also informed that the 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 may be included under the policy so that private hospitals such as Heema may also be benefited,” he said.
Lauding the management of the hospital for virtually inaugurating a new branch of Heema at Nirjuli as part of the day’s program, Khandu requested them to spread out to other districts such as Pasighat, the state’s oldest city.
He also endorsed legislator and advisor health Balo Raja’s appeal to the Heema Hospital management to open one branch in Kurung Kumey district at Palin as founders of the hospital originally 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, in presence of Raja, chief secretary (in charge) Sharat Chandra, TRIHMS director Moji Jini and medical superintendent Kezang Wangdi, among others, dedicated the new facilities of MRI 1.5 Tesla, Elastography 4D Ultrasound, Histopathology and Cytopathology laboratory, one new Gynaecology and Obstetrics ward and two floors of the dedicated parking lot in the hospital’s new building, to the public.