KOHIMA: In a step towards advancing healthcare and medical education in Nagaland, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh L Mandaviya inaugurated the state’s inaugural medical college, the Nagaland Institute of Medical Science and Research (NIMSR), at Phriebagie, Kohima on Saturday.
The union minister, in his speech, highlighted the significance of NIMSR not just as an educational institution but as a research hub catering to local health issues.
Advocating for the vision that healthcare should be approached as a service rather than a commercial enterprise, the minister expressed his pleasure that NIMSR is positioned to contribute in both educational and research capacities.
Addressing the state’s potential, Mandaviya encouraged exploring medical tourism opportunities, capitalising on Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage, and pristine landscapes. On the international front, he revealed the Health Ministry’s plan to collaborate with other nations to offer human resources, primarily nurses, creating job opportunities for locals.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio remarked on the decades-long dream of establishing a medical college in Nagaland, emphasising its significance after 60 years of statehood. While he celebrated the in-flow of students from other states into NIMSR, he also acknowledged the challenges stemming from the unresolved Naga political issue, hindering tourism despite the state’s low crime rate.
Health & Family Welfare Minister Paiwang Konyak highlighted the need for enhanced healthcare delivery in the state, focusing on quality education for medical professionals, research, and specialized patient care. He stressed the acute shortage of doctors in Nagaland, with a doctor-patient ratio of 5386:1, and expressed optimism about increasing MBBS seats in the coming years.
Detailing NIMSR’s journey, Dr Soumya Chakraborty, the institute’s Director cum Dean, declared the institution’s ambition to excel in academics, research, and patient care, ensuring the doctors of tomorrow are well-rounded and competent.
A noteworthy contribution came from KOHIMAS hospital proprietor and Kohima town MLA, Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhütso, who donated an invaluable collection of rare pathological specimens to the institute.
