Sikkim chief minister calls for rural health care

Gangtok, May 22 (UNI) Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has given a call to Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences(SMIMS) and the hospital run by it, Central Referral Hospital(CRH), to intensify their programmes for reaching out to the community in facilitating access to health care by the rural population.

The chief minister made the observations during a meeting held yesterday with Dr.Ramdas Pai, head of Manipal foundation and other senior officials of SMIMS, a state Information and Public Relations (IPR) release issued today said.

The Manipal group had called upon the chief minister to express their gratitude for his exemplary leadership and unstinted support that led to the national recognition of the MBBS degree awarded by the Sikkim Manipal University to the SMIMS.

Mr.Chamling indicated that SMIMS should aim at providing the full range of advanced specialty health care service delivery at CRH.

He also said the profile and portfolio of operations of SMU and its constituent colleges would need to expand to complement the accelerated capacity building programmes undertaken by the state government to build up skills, competencies and capabilities of the younger generation in Sikkim whose expectations are rising rapidly.

Dr.Pai assured the Manipal Education and Medical Group has shown their commitment to building up intellectual capital in Sikkim, by investing nearly Rs.200 crores in the state, the IPR release says.

Dr. Pai also informed that in association with IDFC and Manipal Universal Learning, a fresh infusion of funds to the tune of Rs. 120 crores has been organized which will help the University in reaching financial viability and stability in the near future.

Dr. Pai further informed that SMIMS and CRH has initiated community engagement programmes which involves the organization of regular medical camps in rural areas and the conduct of specialist medical camps in certain super-specialty areas, the release says.

UNI