Dr Siddharth Singh, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Medical Education and Research is gung-ho on the progress made by Assam in the healthcare space. He speaks to Sudheer Goutham on the Government’s initiatives
What are the steps being taken by the Assam Government to improve affordability and quality healthcare?
Since the time of Indian Independence till 2010 there were just three medical colleges in the state of Assam but in the last decade there has been a lot of progress. The Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been instrumental in promoting healthcare in a big way. When he was the Health Minister earlier, he gave a fillip to the sector. A lot of emphasis was given on developing infrastructure.
Between the years 2010 to 2021, a number of medical colleges were added and presently the total number stands at nine and the government is planning 15 more The aim is to have 25 medical colleges in the next five years. Also, nursing colleges and paramedical colleges would be established.
As far as affordability is concerned, the State follows Central Government Health Scheme rates and universal health coverage. 335 empanelled hospitals are also a guarantee to provide quality assured healthcare. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana aims at providing a health cover of Rs 5 lakhs per family for the secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to poor and vulnerable families.
Assam has a number of cancer patients. What are the plans to tackle this problem?
Firstly, all the Northeastern states are dependent on Assam for quality healthcare. In a major development, the setting up of cancer hospitals across the state is underway. One shining example is the Assam Cancer Care Foundation a joint partnership between the Government of Assam and Tata Trusts. Already seven hospitals are operational and in the next one year, three cancer hospitals would be established at Silchar, Diphu and State Cancer Institute, Guwahati.
In all, 17 cancer hospitals would be established which will ensure that no one would have to travel more than two hours to get cancer care. State-of-the-art hospitals with latest equipment and also robotic surgery would be available. Cancer profiling is being done and an eco-system for proper diagnosis is being created. In time to come, it will have a profound impact. Assam has the geographical advantage as it is close to ASEAN countries.
What are the plans of the government to turn it into a medical hub?
There are several countries very close to Assam in terms of distance. The potential is huge to develop the state and particularly Guwahati as a hub for medical tourism. The pace at which the government is working in all sectors, especially in the healthcare area, it would not be a surprise if people from neighbouring countries look to Assam for treatment. Already, a good number of people from Bangladesh come to Assam to get treatment. In the next 4-5 years, Assam will be among the top five states in the country in infrastructure, services and health indicators. The efforts are intensive in nature.
An Ayurveda College is coming up in Dudhnoi in Golpara. The state is blessed with floral diversity and augurs well for the promotion of Ayurveda in a big way.
Technology has permeated in all sectors, what are the efforts in the healthcare sector in Assam?
Under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) that aims to develop an integrated health infrastructure, Assam is a leading state. Medical records are on the digital platform and the insurance schemes too are in digital mode.
How is the state doing in research front? A lot. The Government has tied up with IIT-Guwahati and also with several start-ups for cutting edge technological advancements. There is a lot of work being on robotics, tele-medicine and tele-radiology in hub and spoke model. The number of cancer cases in Assam is much more in comparison to its population. The Infant Mortality rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) have been identified and all efforts are being made to address issues.
Majority of the population lives in rural areas. What are the efforts to reach out to them?
A lot of work is being done under the National Health Mission (NHM). Boat clinics reached out to far away islands along the Brahmaputra River. These clinics have been a boon to inhabitants of villages that were cut off from the mainland. Tele-medicine and tele-radiology is playing a huge role.
There is a lot of emphasis by the central government to promote alternate medicine and what is the budget for health?
The State Government too is keen towards this end, and the Guwahati Ayurveda College is to become a Centre of Excellence soon. An Ayurveda College is coming up in Dudhnoi in Golpara. The state is blessed with floral diversity and augurs well for the promotion of Ayurveda in a big way. 8% of the budget is spent on healthcare. The total amount earmarked last year was Rs 8-10 crore.