Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, on Wednesday virtually inaugurated a workshop on providing accessible and affordable healthcare for the northeastern states.
The workshop, jointly organized by the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Indian Institute of Public Health in Shillong, and the Indian Council of Medical Research – Regional Medical Research Centre in Dibrugarh, aims to tackle critical healthcare challenges in the northeastern states.
In his address, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a healthy and developed India, where every citizen enjoys access to quality healthcare facilities. He reiterated the government’s dedication to ensuring equitable healthcare access, regardless of socioeconomic status, and emphasized efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure in the northeastern region, including improved connectivity through roadways, railways, and digital networks.
Dr. Mandaviya lauded significant healthcare advancements in the region over the past decade, such as the establishment of medical institutions like RIMS, RIPANS, NEIGRIHMS, and Assam AIIMS, alongside the opening of 23 new medical colleges. He also commended initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, designed to enhance healthcare accessibility and affordability for all citizens.
Dr. Mandaviya highlighted key achievements such as the distribution of Ayushman cards, the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras offering affordable medicines, and the reduction in out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for citizens. He also underscored the government’s focus on Essential Health Technology to ensure the availability and affordability of healthcare technologies for all.
During the event, Dr. Mandaviya inaugurated a Market Place and launched a Master’s Program on Health Economics and Technology Assessment at the Indian Institute of Public Health in Shillong.
The event was attended by Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, and Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Health and Family Welfare for the Government of Meghalaya.