Arunachal Government

Itanagar, Aug 12: A significant step towards enhancing healthcare services in Arunachal Pradesh was taken as the state government inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (GRH) and Religare Group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) wing, Religare Care Foundation (RCF). The MoU was signed in Itanagar on a recent Friday, marking a significant stride towards advancing the state’s medical infrastructure and services.

The MoU, endorsed by Health & Family Welfare Secretary Liyon Borang, GRH’s Medical Director Dr Satendra Katoch, and Dr Rashmi Saluja, the Executive Chairperson of Religare Enterprises Ltd, was formalized in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Health Minister Aalo Libang.

The agreement entails a collaborative effort between GRH, RCF, and the Arunachal Pradesh government to bolster the state’s tertiary healthcare systems and infrastructure. The primary initiative under the MoU involves the establishment of a center of excellence for renal sciences at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (TRIHMS).

Chief Minister Khandu expressed his delight at the partnership, stating that the MoU was a stride towards delivering affordable, accessible, and equitable healthcare services to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. He envisioned this collaboration as a means to alleviate the financial burden and psychological distress often associated with seeking specialized medical care far from home.

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Khandu emphasized the prevalent issue of kidney diseases in the state and looked forward to the center of excellence for renal sciences offering comprehensive care, particularly to patients from rural areas.

Health Minister Libang shared that the initial phase of this collaboration aims to establish a state-of-the-art healthcare facility dedicated to renal sciences and research. He expressed his optimism that this facility would ensure that patients in need of dialysis or kidney transplants receive the same high level of care as those in other parts of the country.

Dr Rashmi Saluja, Chairperson of Religare Enterprise Ltd, highlighted that this collaboration would greatly enhance Arunachal Pradesh’s healthcare infrastructure while also contributing to the professional development of healthcare practitioners.

The partnership is anticipated to benefit the state significantly by elevating the healthcare landscape and creating a platform for healthcare professionals to receive specialized training and skills enhancement.

The endeavor aligns with the Arunachal Pradesh government’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services. The budget allocation for health in the fiscal year 2023-’24 stands at 5.1% of the total expenditure. The state is home to over 3,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, paramedics, pharmacists, and nurses, serving in more than 500 government health centers.

Furthermore, the state reaps the benefits of central government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme. These schemes have led to the establishment of health and wellness centers, significantly boosting healthcare accessibility and quality.

With this collaboration, Arunachal Pradesh takes a decisive stride towards enhancing its healthcare infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of its citizens. The joint efforts of the state government, GRH, and Religare Group’s CSR arm are set to make a positive impact on the healthcare landscape of the region.