Arunachal contemplating to involve Army in health sector

It will go a long way in improving the health care delivery system of this land-locked state, says Health and Family Welfare Minister

To further cement the civilian-Army relations, the Arunachal Pradesh government is contemplating to involve the Army in its health initiatives.

A high level preliminary discussion was held between top ranking Army officers, Brigadier C S Ahulwali, an anesthesiologist from Dimapur-based Army's 3 Corps, Brigadier S Bhatnagar, an oncologist and Brigadier M C Pant, both from Tezpur-based 4 Corps and state chief secretary Ramesh Negi, health and family welfare secretary Indira Mallo and Dr Bimang Natung from the health department here yesterday.

The meeting aimed at exploring areas of cooperation between the state government and the Army with a view to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in civilian health care initiatives during peace as well as war time, Mallo said today.

The MoU once signed would cement the civilian-Army relations further in this sensitive border state, the chief secretary said.

Appreciating the move, Health and Family Welfare Minister Rajesh Tacho said that it would go a long way in improving the health care delivery system of this land-locked state.

"The state government will extend all possible support to seek the cooperation of the Army, particularly in far-flung border areas," the minister added.