New Delhi, 11 August 2023. Marking a significant step towards bolstering healthcare provisions and addressing skill gaps in the healthcare sector, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh (GoAP) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Religare Care Foundation (RCF), the CSR arm of Religare Group, in Itanagar today.
The MoU signing ceremony, graced by Honourable Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu, and Honourable Minister of Health, Shri Alo Libang, underscored the commitment to elevate the state's healthcare infrastructure. Witnessed by dignitaries including Chief Secretary Shri Dharmendra, Secretary (Health & FW) Shri Liyon Borang, Dr Satendra Katoch, Director – Medical, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and Dr Rashmi Saluja, Executive Chairperson, Religare Enterprises Ltd, the pact signifies a joint effort to enhance healthcare standards.
Esteemed healthcare professionals and officials such as Shri Vivek HP Special Secretary (Health & FW), Dr Moji Jini, Director TRIHMS, Dr H Jauhari, Chairman – Department of Renal Transplant Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and Mr Rakesh Asthana, Group Head – Corporate Affairs and Business Advisor, Religare Enterprises Ltd, also graced the occasion.
The MoU delineates a collaborative initiative between Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Religare Care Foundation (RCF) to provide technical support in reinforcing Arunachal Pradesh's tertiary healthcare systems and infrastructure.
The first milestone of this partnership involves the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Renal Sciences at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (TRIHMS).
The Honourable Chief Minister's leadership has propelled Arunachal Pradesh Government's dedication towards promoting diverse developmental endeavors encompassing healthcare, education, and sports within the state.
Expressing happiness at the association, Shri Pema Khandu, Honourable Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh said, “The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a step forward to fulfil the vision of providing affordable, accessible and equitable Health care services to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. It is an endeavour of the Government to bring the best of the tertiary health care services near to home thereby reducing the cost and also the psychological trauma the family has to go through for seeking such medical cares. By joining hands with Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Religare group, we look forward for bringing about changes that positively impacts the lives of the people and also the entire Health care landscape of the State.”
Shri AloLibang, Minister of Health, Government of Arunachal Pradesh said, “I congratulate Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Religare Group, Religare Care Foundation on this association. In the first phase of the partnership, the Group will assist us in establishing a state-of-the-art healthcare facility dedicated to renal sciences and related research. This facility will ensure that patients requiring dialysis or kidney transplants receive the same level of care as those in other parts of the country. Moreover, healthcare professionals in the state will receive appropriate training to enhance their skills and bring them in line with their counterparts in leading states with superior healthcare facilities.”
Commenting on the occasion, Dr Rashmi Saluja, Executive Chairperson, Religare Enterprises Ltd said, “We are grateful for our partnership with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. We would like to express our gratitude to Honourable Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu Ji for giving us this opportunity. This collaboration will greatly enhance the state’s healthcare infrastructure and contribute to the professional development of healthcare practitioners. We believe that this partnership will give us a unique opportunity to serve the people of Arunachal Pradesh and make the state the healthcare services hub in the North East.”
With a focus on bridging skills gaps and augmenting healthcare services, the state government has successfully reduced the skills gap in the healthcare sector from 34 percent to a mere 6 percent over the past five years.
A robust workforce of over 8,000 healthcare professionals, spanning doctors, paramedics, pharmacists, and nurses, serve across more than 500 government health centers within the state.
Dr Ajay Swaroop, Chairman – Board of Management, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said, “We are committed to improving the healthcare ecosystem in the state. It is our firm belief that working along with the state’s healthcare professionals, we will be able to bring a qualitative difference to the healthcare services in the region.”
Moreover, the state capitalizes on central government initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS). Through Ayushman Bharat, Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed the establishment of health and wellness centers, significantly elevating the accessibility and quality of healthcare services.
