Guwahati: While Kamrup district is emerging as a critical healthcare provider for the state, neighbouring Guwahati is becoming a significant focus of bioscience research in the entire nation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma observed while inaugurating the new campus of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) on Friday at Changsari town.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare, virtually inaugurated the new campus of NIPER along with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The sprawling new campus of NIPER located at Changsari spread over 27688 square metres is being built with a total outlay of Rs 157 crores.

Speaking on the occasion, the Assam CM said that the health infrastructure projects in the Northeast are "a boon" for the health and wellness of the people of the region. Sarma also stressed that the health infrastructure developed in Assam and other North Eastern states in the 'Amrit Kaal' will be a crucial milestone towards the development of the country. "This will also help Assam and other North Eastern states to contribute to the development journey of the country", he said.

With all the important health institutions on the North bank of the Brahmaputra like AIIMS, NIPER, Guwahati campus of National Forensic Science University, Kamrup district is turning out to be a "crucial health care provider" of the state, said Biswa Sarma. "Moreover, the setting up of IIT, AIIMS, the new campus of NIPER, and the upcoming campus of the National Forensic Sciences University near Guwahati are helping the city emerge as a major hub of bio-sciences research in the country."

The institutes are expected to nurture and promote quality and excellence in pharmaceutical education and research, conduct masters, doctoral, and post-doctoral courses and research in pharmaceutical education, and develop a multi-disciplinary approach in carrying out research and training of pharmaceutical manpower, Biswa Sarma further pointed out.

Along with the dedication of NIPER Guwahati, foundation stones were also laid for NIPER Hyderabad and Raebareli and several healthcare infrastructure projects for Assam and other northeastern states including Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.

Projects worth several crores will begin under the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and another outlay of Rs 150 crore has been approved for the upgradation of Assam Medical College under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). 

Moreover, foundations for as many as 16 health infrastructure projects under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission were also laid.

ALSO READ: Assam to receive 500 more schools: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma