Stressing on the need of spreading awareness of health and preventive health measures, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla on Tuesday said the State government has to dole out over one-third of the State budget on reimbursements for medical assistance of the State government employees and their kin.
Lal Thanhawla said, “Every year, the State government has to dole out Rs 80 crore to Rs 100 crore, which is one-third of the Mizoram State budget, as reimbursement for medical care of the government employees and their kin.”
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thawnlawla said this while inaugurating Mercy Hospital (Rural Diagnostic & Research Centre) at New Serchhip in Serchhip district, the constituency from where he was elected.
“Because of our lifestyle and excessive tobacco habits, it is very unfortunate to say that Mizoram is one of the sickest States in India, despite awareness on the ill effects of tobacco and unhealthy lifestyle people are adamant not to go for a change. This is the main reason why fall sick,” Lal Thanhawla said.
He also said, “My government is trying its best to give proper healthcare to the people of Mizoram, even in the larger and richer States of India, giving the people a complete healthcare infrastructure though it is a big challenge.”
“Despite our limitations, we intend to start our own medical college in Mizoram. If God wishes, we hope that we will be able to the first batch next year,” Lal Thanhawla said.
Mizoram Institute of Medical Education & Research is the first medical college planned in Mizoram.
It was constructed during 2014-2015 following a joint initiative between the Central Government and the State Government in 2013-2014.
It was scheduled to start education courses in August, 2015 but was halted as it was disapproved by the Medical Council of India.
The Mizoram government has taken initiative to create 629 posts for the proposed medical college and now it is planning for 100 seats for which it has received Rs 102 crore from the Centre.
“We hope to reduce our medical bills once we have our own medical college,” the CM said.
“A well-equipped college will be able to treat patients who are now being referred outside the State for better treatment,” Lal Thanhawla added.
Lal Thanhawla requested the owners of the new hospital to play a role of volunteers and missionaries and treat the sick out of love, not out of money.
Mercy Hospital (Rural Diagnostic & Research Centre) will be manned by three resident doctors and eight nurses.
The hospital has housed its own multi-path and bio laboratories, ICU, operation theatre and state-of-the-art maternity ward.