J’khand seeks new AIIMS in Capital, Rs 2,000 Cr for RIMS project

Pioneer News Service
Ranchi

Jharkhand Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari attended the 16th meeting of the Union Health and Family Welfare Council held in New Delhi. At the meeting, chaired by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Dr. Ansari placed several important demands before the central government to strengthen the state’s health system.

He strongly advocated for the establishment of a new AIIMS in Ranchi, central assistance of Rs 2,000 crore for the RIMS-2 project, and the opening of new medical colleges in eight backward districts of the state.

The minister stated that the state government is working on the RIMS-2 project at a cost of ₹4,100 crore, for which the process of obtaining a loan from the Asian Development Bank is underway. He requested financial assistance of ₹2,000 crore from the central government. Emphasis was also placed on AYUSH, maternal and child health, and cancer: He also demanded the early approval of an Ayurvedic medical college in Jharkhand, the establishment of ICUs, CCUs, and HDUs in all Sadar hospitals, and the provision of Mamta vehicles for rural areas. Requesting central assistance in paying honorariums to ASHA workers, he stated that strengthening maternal and child health services is a priority for the state.

Furthermore, citing the increasing number of cancer patients, he demanded modern equipment and additional financial assistance. During the meeting, the Health Minister demanded the establishment of medical colleges in Chatra, Garhwa, Godda, Gumla, Pakur, Ramgarh, Simdega, and Sahibganj, among other districts. He also proposed increasing the number of MBBS seats in the state’s medical colleges from 100 to 200 and PG seats to 250 to address the shortage of specialist doctors.