Centre determined to help RIMS achieve greater heights: Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said the Centre is committed to taking forward all proposals made by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and MP R K Ranjan Singh regarding enhancement of medical facilities in the state.

In the last five years, the northeastern states have witnessed "phenomenal" development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he told reporters, adding the Centre is determined to help the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here achieve greater heights.

Addressing the 48th Foundation Day Celebration and Graduation Ceremony of RIMS, Imphal, the Union minister said doctors should render service to the society with great sincerity as people look at them with great hopes.

Vardhan said RIMS has been ranked at 28th in medical category in All India Rankings, 2019.

At the event, the Manipur chief minister sought Harsh Vardhan's intervention in early commencement of Air Ambulance Service with RIMS as one of the centres.

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has already sanctioned Rs 25 crore for the service, he said and also urged the Union health minister to upgrade RIMS to the status of AIIMS.

Biren Singh also sought the Centre's assistance in setting up another state-run medical college and opening a neurosurgery unit and stroke-care Centre at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS).

At the event, Harsh Vardhan handed out gold medal and certificates to medical graduates belonging to the 2014 batch.