Entrance gate of JNIMS hospital (file photo)

Manipur chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh on Monday said that the state run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) will soon have 18 private wards.

Chief minister N Biren made the announcement while inaugurating the first ever Neurosurgery Ward JNIMS besides laying the foundation stone for the construction of 18 private wards at the JNIMS premises at Porompat in Imphal East district.

The construction work of the private wards has been awarded to the Manipur Police Housing Corporation (MPHC) and people hope that it would be completed on time.

Currently the central government run regional Institute of medical sciences is having private wards within their Lamphelpat campus in Imphal.

Maintaining that the government was keen to expand Neurosurgery department of JNIMS so that poor and needy people could avail the healthcare facility at affordable rates, he said that huge money is being incurred for treatment of Neurosurgery related cases in private hospitals.

Stating that JNIMS has well qualified specialist Neurosurgeons, he appreciated the Neurosurgeons of JNIMS for successfully operating various critical patients in the hospitals during the last 3-4 months.

Mentioning that the present government is trying its best to improve the health sector in the State, he said that 5-6 Medical Ventilators would be procured for JNIMS soon.

In his presidential address, state health and family welfare Minister L Jayantakumar Singh appealed the doctors to serve the people with sincerity, integrity and to maintain professional ethics.

He said that health is the most important sector among all the sectors. The government has introduced various health schemes such as PMJAY, CMHT etc. to provide affordable healthcare in the country.

Chairman Laishram Susindro of Loktak Development Authority and MLA of Khurai assembly constituency Principal Secretary (Health) V Vumlunmang, managing director C Doungel of MPHC, director (JNIMS) Prof Th Bhimo, medical superintendent (JNIMS) Dr N Jitendra, neurosurgeon Dr Vyas Khongbantabam, teaching and non-teaching staffs and students of JNIMS attended the function.