Arunachal to get 3 more medical colleges: CM Khandu

Itanagar: Arunachal chief minister Pema Khandu announced the establishment of three more medical colleges in the state in the coming years.

Speaking at an induction programme at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) in Naharlagun, Khandu said the second medical college will be set up in Pasighat, followed by Namsai under the PPP mode. Additionally, a medical college will be established in the West Kameng-Tawang region, bringing the total to four medical colleges in the state.

The CM hailed the induction of 100 MBBS students at TRIHMS as a historic day for the state's lone medical college. This academic year, the number of seats for the MBBS course at TRIHMS has been increased from 50 to 100, a goal the state govt has been striving for since the college's inception. Khandu expressed happiness that more local youths will now have the opportunity to pursue medicine, with 85 of the 100 seats reserved for APST students, a significant increase from the previous 30 seats.

Khandu said the state govt has fulfilled its promise to increase the capacity of TRIHMS and the seats reserved for APST aspirants. He recalled the historic day in 2018 when he attended the induction ceremony of the first-ever MBBS batch of the institute, who have since completed their internships and graduated in May this year. The second batch has also completed their final MBBS examination and is undergoing internship.

With these milestones achieved, Khandu emphasised the need for TRIHMS to advance further by starting MD/MS PG and MCh/DM courses in super specialty departments and strengthening existing departments and service units. The state govt has approved the start of PG courses in 12 specialties and one super specialty (DM course in cardiology) and has approved the establishment of a 500-bed super specialty block with central assistance.

Praising the faculty, doctors, and paramedics of TRIHMS for their extraordinary performance in saving lives through operations and emergency procedures, Khandu highlighted two serious concerns: cancer and kidney diseases.

He mentioned a recent MoU signed between B Borooah Cancer Institute and the State Cancer Society of Arunachal Pradesh to investigate rising cancer rates. Additionally, a 200-bed Regional Cancer Center is being established in Midpu near Doimukh.

To address kidney ailments, the state govt has approved the establishment of the Department of Renal Science and Kidney Transplantation at TRIHMS in collaboration with Sir Gangaram Hospital. Khandu expressed optimism that the first kidney transplantation will occur at TRIHMS once the OT complex is ready.

The induction ceremony was attended by health and family welfare minister Biyuram Wahge, advisor to health minister Mohesh Chai, Itanagar MLA Techi Kaso, health officials, faculty members, doctors, and students of TRIHMS. Earlier, Khandu, Wahge, and Chai attended the 8th governing council meeting of TRIHMS, according to a statement from the CMO.