Medical Colleges dismisses reports of advisory to stop serving non-veg food

Shillong: The North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) has dismissed reports of the institute having issued any advisory to stop serving non-vegetarian food in the hospital premises.

NEIGRIHMS spokesperson Dr K K Pandita in a statement here last evening said there was no question of any advisory from the authorities of the institute to stop non-vegetarian food items in the hospital as these items are necessary as a protein-rich diet for the patients.

NEIGRIHMS is a Central government owned institute and is under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Rubbishing reports of the hospital not serving non-vegetarian food items, he said, "Some misinformation regarding non-availability of non-vegetarian food items in various food outlets in NEIGRIHMS is repeatedly published in some newspapers."

Pandita said food suppliers to the hospital have been directed to serve fresh food including meat items.

"Canteens have been advised to keep the fresh items available for the patients and attendants who visit the hospital. Besides, in hospital kitchen, eggs are being served to the admitted patients twice a day depending on the advice of their treating doctor," Pandita said.

According to the hospital authorities, in view of the fact that cooked meat items get spoiled in short time, canteens have been advised to keep the fresh items and the coffee shop in the OPD foyer, packed food served includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items.

"Pre-packed food items, including chicken momos, chicken noodles, and chicken rolls are available in the coffee shop all the time subject to their availability," Pandita said.

The hospital has two major canteens in the hospital.

One is in casualty area which has a kitchen and freshly cooked both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is being served to the patients and attendants.

Earlier in the week, Opposition Hill State People s Democratic Party (HSPDP) had written to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry urging authorities to restore sale of non-vegetarian food at the food outlets at NEIGRIMS.