Arunachal Pradesh to have new medical colleges to boost health sector

Arunachal Pradesh: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda has assured immediate sanctioning of funds for the establishment of state’s first medical college at Naharlagun here in a bid to improve the ailing health scenario in the state.

The assurance comes in the wake of his meeting with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul at his office in the national capital yesterday, who apprised him the need to improve the ailing health scenario in the state, an official communique said.

As per the official statement, he has also assured the establishment of one more medical college at Tezu in Lohit district.

The chief minister said it would give improved access to quality health care and medical education for eastern part of the state.

“Tezu being strategically located in the eastern zone, a medical college here would not only be used for civilian purposes but would also be useful for armed forces and paramilitary forces and can be of use during eventuality of armed conflict and wars,” he said.

Pul also sought support for the establishment of nursing college at Itanagar.

He asked for setting up of two more nursing schools at Bomdila and Tezu to which the Union minister agreed to provide funds for nursing schools and college.

Nadda agreed to provide a financial assistance of Rs 83 crore to help the state in making all the health institutes fully functional.

The minister agreed to revise the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefits, a welfare scheme aimed at meeting extra costs of living due to health ailments or disability, the communique added.