The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) in Kohima, Nagaland, alongside Shri Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri T. R. Zeliang, Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, and Shri P. Paiwang Konyak, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland. During the inauguration, Dr Mandaviya emphasized that NIMSR is not merely a medical college but also a research institute with the mission to provide medical education and address the health needs of the Naga people.
Dr Mandaviya encouraged students and stakeholders to expand their research horizons beyond national borders and explore opportunities abroad. He also informed that the Union Government has introduced foreign language courses in several medical education institutes to enhance students’ employability abroad.
Strengthening medical, nursing, and pharmacy education in India is a priority for the Union Government, focusing on the holistic development and expansion of the country’s healthcare sector. The goal is to ensure that every Indian citizen has access to affordable and accessible healthcare nationwide. Dr Mandaviya highlighted the expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, providing quality and affordable medicines through India.
Shri Neiphiu Rio expressed the historic significance of inaugurating Nagaland’s first medical college. This accomplishment fulfills a long-cherished dream for the people of Nagaland and will strengthen the state’s secondary and tertiary healthcare. He expressed hope that NIMSR would evolve into a center of excellence in the future.
Shri Konyak expressed gratitude for the Union Government’s commitment to strengthening medical education and healthcare infrastructure in Nagaland. He acknowledged the contributions of the World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and other partners in the NIMSR Kohima project. NIMSR Kohima will provide comprehensive medical education to MBBS students, offer healthcare services through various Health Care Programs, and promote research.
NIMSR Kohima, affiliated with Nagaland University, received permission to admit 100 MBBS students for the academic year 2023-2024 from the National Medical Commission (NMC) in April 2023. This historic milestone comes after 60 years of Nagaland’s statehood, meeting the aspirations of its people.
The inauguration of NIMSR Kohima is a significant step in the government’s commitment to improving medical education and healthcare infrastructure in Nagaland and the Northeast region.
The event was attended by Cabinet members of the Government of Nagaland, senior officials from the Union and Nagaland governments, representatives from civil society, and special invitees.