Shillong, March 27: The Meghalaya government is actively advocating for the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) to be designated as a National Institute—a move that could significantly enhance its capabilities and infrastructure.

Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh announced this initiative on Wednesday, emphasizing that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is directly engaging with the Union Government to make it a reality.

“It may not be entirely within my purview to comment on NEIGRIHMS, but I can confirm that we are sincerely pursuing this matter with the Government of India,” Lyngdoh said. “Achieving National Institute status would not only solidify NEIGRIHMS as a centre of excellence but also enable expanded facilities, better funding, and improved medical services.”

She stressed that the proposal extends beyond critical care upgrades. “Our goal is to fully operationalize an extensive oncology department, introduce state-of-the-art treatments, and modernize medical infrastructure for the people of Meghalaya,” she added.

According to Lyngdoh, National Institute status would grant NEIGRIHMS access to greater financial and technical resources, allowing it to adopt advanced healthcare technologies and establish specialized departments to serve the entire Northeast region.

“We are not just seeking incremental improvements. We are advocating for transformative changes that would position NEIGRIHMS among the country’s most advanced medical institutions,” she emphasized.

Chief Minister Sangma has been in regular discussions with the Centre to advance the proposal, aligning with Meghalaya’s broader goal of strengthening healthcare accessibility and expertise, particularly in specialized fields such as oncology and critical care.

With the rising demand for healthcare services in Meghalaya, elevating NEIGRIHMS to National Institute status would mark a significant milestone, expanding access to advanced treatments, specialist care, and research opportunities for medical professionals and students.

While the Centre has yet to make a formal announcement, the Meghalaya government remains optimistic about a favourable response. “This is a crucial step for us. We believe it will revolutionize healthcare in our state and the entire region,” Lyngdoh stated.

The state government hopes that NEIGRIHMS, already a key medical institution in the Northeast, will soon join the ranks of India’s premier healthcare establishments, delivering world-class services to Meghalaya and neighbouring states.

Read: Shillong Medical College awaits NMC inspection, readies for full operation

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