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Yesterday, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, officially opened the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) in Kohima, Nagaland. The event was graced by the presence of dignitaries including 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.
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that NIMSR is more than just a medical college; it’s a hub for research. He underscored that apart from providing medical education, it will also address the healthcare needs of the Naga population.
The Union Health Minister encouraged students and stakeholders to expand their research horizons beyond national boundaries. He advocated making the most of opportunities abroad and mentioned that the Union Government has initiated foreign language courses in many medical institutions to give students an edge in international job markets.
Dr. Mandaviya stressed that bolstering medical, nursing, and pharmacy education is a key focus of the Union Government for the overall advancement of the country’s healthcare sector. He stated, “Our goal is to ensure that every Indian has access to affordable and accessible healthcare nationwide.” He also highlighted the widespread establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to enhance access to quality and affordable medicines for all.
Shri Neiphiu Rio hailed the day as historic for Nagaland, marking the inauguration of the state’s first-ever medical college. He expressed gratitude to the Union Government for diligently undertaking this project, considering it a longstanding aspiration of the people. Rio envisioned NIMSR as a catalyst in fortifying the state’s secondary and tertiary healthcare and aspired for it to evolve into a center of excellence.
Shri Konyak echoed similar sentiments, viewing NIMSR’s inauguration as a momentous occasion for Nagaland. He extended thanks to the Union Government for prioritizing the enhancement of medical education and health infrastructure in the state. Additionally, he acknowledged the contributions of partners such as the World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and other collaborating agencies in realizing the NIMSR Kohima project.
NIMSR Kohima aims to provide holistic medical education to MBBS students enrolled under NIMSR, offering comprehensive healthcare services through various programs, both within the hospital and in the community. The institute also boasts modern facilities for skill development, specialized teaching tools, advanced laboratories, a central library, and sports amenities. Its esteemed faculty and residents remain committed to capacity-building, competence development, and fostering collaborations with other reputed medical institutions nationally and internationally.
Affiliated with Nagaland University, NIMSR received approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC) in April 2023 to admit 100 MBBS students for the academic year 2023-2024. This marked the realization of a longstanding aspiration of the people of Nagaland, as the state saw the establishment of its first medical college in over six decades.
In September 2023, 85 MBBS students from Nagaland and six students from across India commenced their studies at NIMSR after completing an induction program.
The inauguration of NIMSR Kohima is a pivotal step in the Government’s ongoing efforts to elevate the standard of medical education and healthcare infrastructure not only in Nagaland but also in the entire Northeast region. The event witnessed the presence of Cabinet members of the Government of Nagaland, senior officials from both the Union and Nagaland Governments, representatives from civil societies, and special invitees.
