SHILLONG : The proposal to grant Institute of National Importance (INI) status to the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) is under active consideration by the Centre, BJP leader and Pynthorumkhrah MLA AL Hek said on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, Hek said he had earlier raised the issue with the former Union Health Minister and received a positive response regarding the proposal.
“Regarding INI status for NEIGRIHMS, I had written to the former Health Minister and he acknowledged that the matter is under consideration,” Hek said.
The BJP leader further stated that he reiterated the demand during the recent visit of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda to Meghalaya. According to Hek, employees of NEIGRIHMS also submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister seeking declaration of the premier medical institute as an Institute of National Importance.
Hek said Nadda assured them that the proposal would be examined by the Centre.
“When Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda visited Meghalaya recently to inaugurate a hospital, I got an opportunity to meet him. NEIGRIHMS employees also submitted a representation requesting INI status for the institute. He informed us that the proposal would be examined and assured us that it would be considered,” Hek said.
The demand for INI status is expected to strengthen NEIGRIHMS’ position as a leading healthcare, medical education, and research institution serving the Northeast region.