Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates Integrated Ayush Hospital in Nagaland

• Four more Integrated Ayush Hospitals in state
• One Ayush Medical College

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 4 (EMN): Union Minister for Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday inaugurated Nagaland’s first Integrated Ayush Hospital at Razha Chedema in Kohima.

During the inaugural programme of the health facility, Sonowal also announced an investment of more than INR 100 crore to develop Ayush healthcare sector in the state, “Provided the government of Nagaland submit the proposal at the right time and as per the existing rule whatever procedure needs to be followed strictly, should be followed by Nagaland”.

Meanwhile, an update from the Union Minister’s office informed that one 30-bedded Ayush Hospital will be set up at Kiphire, and one each 10-bedded Ayush Hospital at Tuli in Mokokchung, Nagaland University in Medzhiphema, and Wokha.

He also assured one state-of-the-art Ayush Medical College in Longleng which is estimated at INR 70 crore.

Underscores promotion of traditional skills

Sonowal, who arrived in the state on Thursday on a two-day visit, advocated promotion and preservation of traditional skills and knowledge for a self-reliant India.

He said the biodiversity of the state is admirable and ‘see a bright future ahead for the people of Nagaland, Northeast and India’.

“I always feel at home when I visit Nagaland,” he said, adding that the people of the state are very beautiful by nature, character, behaviour and thinking, with God-gifted talents and abilities.

He said that the resources need to be discovered and explored in a scientific manner by applying the traditional skills, wisdom, knowledge and power with innovation and incubation.

While asserting the importance of traditional healing inherited from the forefathers and practiced for centuries, he pointed out the need to undertake scientific study and research for scientific evidence of such traditional skills.

The minister said that the Centre wants to promote traditional medicines and practices to prevent diseases as well as enhance human health.

Traditional medicine also played a big role during the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result, Ayush products have ecame acceptable and credible products to the society, stated the minister.

He informed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ayush industry is today an 18.2 billion dollars market in the globe, adding that then industry can create avenues for employment and income generation.

Sonowal said the people of Nagaland have a big role to play in this sector as the entire Northeast is known for its rich biodiversity. He added that the people need to identify its strength and generate income, promote status, empower the ability of creation, construction, and transmission.

He urged the people to make Nagaland a self-reliant state.

The union minister also reminded out the prime minister remained committed to developing the Northeast and had been giving priority in all sectors. He also urged the people of the region to reciprocate by putting in more efforts towards growth.

Waterways in Tizu

Sonowal said during an interaction with journalists that the ‘national waterways are being declared’ and the concerned sectors will be taken up. He added that the ministry is committed to waterways in Tizu.

Informing that Nagaland has also submitted some proposals, he said, ‘techno-economic feasibility survey will be conducted on those rivers soon’.

He asserted that the ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is “committed to this”.

Further, he pointed out that the prime minister wants inland waterways to have better integration with the postal waterways so that the country’s cargo vessels and passenger vessels can move comfortably – faster for economic development.

Meanwhile, state’s minister for Health and Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom said that with the inauguration of the Integrated Ayush Hospital at Razha, Chedema, the state will have three fully functional Ayush hospitals while two such facilities are under construction.

He informed that five Ayush dispensaries are functioning as Ayush Health and Wellness Centre, meeting the needs of the people.

Phom informed that the Integrated Ayush Hospital project at Razha (3.50 acres) was set up at a cost of INR 9.17 crore and was sanctioned in 2018.  He acknowledged the Ministry of Ayush for funding and developing the facility for the welfare of the common people.

Earlier in the programme, Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Dr Neikiesalie Kire; and Zadiwheto Zechu (on behalf of village councils) spoke. The principal secretary to Government of Nagaland, Health and Family Welfare department, Amardeep Singh Bhatia delivered the welcome address and presented the project overview.