Imphal, September 14: The 34th foundation day of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), was celebrated today with Governor Dr SS Sidhu as chief guest at the Jubilee hall of the Institute.

Dr Sidhu also inaugurated a website of the Institute, www.

rims cdac noida.in at the occasion.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Sidhu said since its inception RIMS has been rendering yeomen service to the people of the North Eastern India and also towards enrichment of academic and research activities.

Highlighting on the achievements of RIMS, the Governor mentioned commissioning of Telemedicine Specialist Centre (TSC) on December 11, 2004 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a part of Telemedicine programme of the North Eastern Council, declaration of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (DPMR) as one of the six best centres in the country, setting up of one Anti- Retroviral Therapy (ART) training centres out of the four in the country, becoming a member of UNESCO Bio-ethics World Network, etc.

From a very small beginning, the Institute has expanded substantially over the years.

Its tract record has been good but it has to be sustained, rather improved upon, he noted.

However, there is a continuous need for provision of requisite equipments and services to meet the new challenges, Dr Sidhu said.

To this end, RIMS Phase-II Upgradation project involving a capital expenditure of Rs 73.86 crores including the much needed infrastructures to cater for the increased intake of medical students and hospital beds has been in the pipeline, he said.

Dr Sidhu lamented that despite advent of 21st century, the delivery system of public health care for the rural areas is far from satisfactory.

He also stressed on closer linkage between the medicare and the prevailing inadequate delivery of public health care.

Health and Family Welfare Minister L Nandakumar Singh attended the function guest of honour.

RIMS Director Dr L Fimate, Medical Superintendent Dr S Arunchandra and Prof Th Brajakishore Singh were also present at the occasion as special invitees.

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