ITANAGAR, Oct 4: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday inaugurated a dedicated 33kV power substation and Phase-II of Vivekananda Bhavan staff quarters at Ramakrishna Mission Hospital here, assuring continued State Government support for strengthening the institution’s healthcare and education initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh.

The new staff quarters will accommodate around 18 staff members, while the dedicated power substation has been established exclusively for the hospital. Khandu dedicated both facilities to the Ramakrishna Mission Hospital and its extended family.

The Chief Minister also joined the presentation of tokens of appreciation to doctors, wards and other staff members in recognition of their contribution to healthcare services in the state.

Recalling the Ramakrishna Mission’s long association with Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu said its engagement in the state began with the establishment of a school at Aalo in 1966, followed by the institution at Narottam Nagar and the Ramakrishna Mission Hospital at Itanagar in 1978-79.

He said generations of students educated at the Mission’s institutions, particularly at Aalo and Narottam Nagar, have gone on to serve in important positions in public life and government.

Highlighting the government’s efforts to expand the Mission’s educational presence, Khandu said he had recently urged its authorities to enter the higher education sector in Arunachal Pradesh. Following discussions with the Mission leadership, in-principle approval has been accorded for setting up two colleges, one each at Aalo and Narottam Nagar.

The government is exploring the use of existing infrastructure to operationalise the proposed colleges at the earliest, he said.

Khandu also appreciated the Mission for establishing an educational institution at Lamdung in East Kameng district, saying it would help address the need for quality education in the western part of the state.

On healthcare, the Chief Minister said the proposed 200-bed expansion of RK Mission Hospital would further strengthen healthcare delivery in Arunachal Pradesh.

He highlighted the expansion of the state’s medical infrastructure, including the establishment of TRIHMS, where the MBBS intake has increased from 50 to 100 seats over the past two years. The state is also preparing to establish a second medical college at Namsai, with construction expected to begin shortly.

A third medical college in the West Kameng-Tawang region, with an intake capacity of around 150 students, is being planned under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode. An investor delegation from Delhi is scheduled to visit the proposed site and hold discussions with the concerned department, Khandu said.

Responding to the hospital’s requirement for a dedicated water supply, the Chief Minister said the matter had been referred to the concerned department for processing and funding. Citing the dedicated water supply arrangement created for TRIHMS, he said a similar solution for the RKM Hospital would be pursued once the proposal reaches the appropriate stage.

Khandu also stressed the need for advance planning of water infrastructure in view of the rapid urbanisation of the Itanagar-Naharlagun capital region. He said the state had submitted a proposal to the Government of India for a major water supply project for the capital region and efforts would be made to take it forward at the earliest.

The Chief Minister also took note of the deteriorating condition of the existing staff and doctors’ quarters at the hospital, many of which date back to the 1970s and 1980s. He said the RK Mission had submitted a DPR to the state government for replacing the ageing infrastructure and assured that he would take up the matter with the Planning Department.

He said the government would work towards approving the first phase at the earliest to enable construction to commence.

Present on the occasion were Home Minister Mama Natung, MLAs Pani Taram and Jikke Tako, Vice-President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Rev Swami Suhitananda Ji Maharaj, Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Hospital Rev Swami Vedasaranandaji Maharaj, and Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Narottam Nagar, Rev Swami Achyuteshanandaji Maharaj, among others. ·Source: EoA