Arunachal Pradesh Expands Healthcare with New MCH Wing and Job Openings
Inauguration of Maternal and Child Health Wing
Itanagar, July 12: The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, inaugurated the newly built Maternal and Child Health (MCH) wing at the Namsai District Hospital on Saturday. During the event, he revealed that the state health department has created 1,000 new job positions, which are currently in various stages of the recruitment process.
Khandu also mentioned that a gap analysis is being conducted to identify and address other essential vacancies within the health sector.
Additionally, he announced plans for a new medical college in Namsai, which will be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein, is in discussions with reputable institutions to ensure the establishment of a high-quality medical facility in the area.
"Our aim is to establish a top-tier medical college in Namsai to meet the aspirations of the youth in the eastern districts of the state," Khandu stated.
The inauguration of the MCH wing marks a significant milestone, as it was sanctioned under the National Health Mission for the fiscal year 2022–23, with an estimated budget of Rs 12 crore.
The facility, covering an area of 28,356 sq ft, was constructed by the Namsai Rural Works Division and completed in June this year. The main district hospital was previously built at a cost of Rs 24 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) scheme.
During his visit, Khandu distributed fruit baskets to patients and praised the medical staff for their hard work.
"In the past three years, we have made strides in addressing the manpower shortage in the health sector, but challenges remain. The department is aware of these issues and is actively working to resolve them," he remarked, urging health workers to continue their support.
Khandu acknowledged that districts like Namsai, which has a population exceeding one lakh, still experience shortages of manpower, including specialist doctors, General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs), nurses, and support staff. He noted that efforts are being made to rationalize postings, particularly in remote areas, to ensure a fair distribution of personnel.
"Arunachal is a vast state sharing borders with Tibet, Myanmar, and Bhutan. Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) in remote locations also face shortages, but the government is addressing these through strategic transfers and targeted recruitment," he added.
He reiterated the government's commitment to supporting both health and education sectors, stating: "Health safeguards the populace, while education paves the way for development. These two areas remain our primary focus."
Khandu also commended the staff at Namsai District Hospital for their commitment, highlighting that the hospital has become a vital healthcare hub for several districts.