SHILLONG: A slew of initiatives, including the online registration system to get doctors’ appointments, increasing the number of counters and introduction of the Hospital Information Management System, are being introduced for better functioning of NEIGRIHMS.
NEIGRIHMS Director Dr. P Bhattacharyya said on Tuesday these initiatives are aimed at improving the system and addressing the growing demand of patients for affordable treatment.
The current capacity of NEIGRIHMS is 500 beds and there are as many as 1,700 patients who come to the OPD for treatment every day.
Considering the large number of patients, NEIGRIHMS is also planning to set up ‘Screening OPDs’ where patients will be screened first for general treatment before those who are having serious illnesses are brought in.
The director said compared to the past, there is equal flow of patients from all over the North East to the institute and even neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and Nepal, are sending their professionals to get trained in the critical care unit at NEIGRIHMS.
Among other initiatives, NEIGRIHMS is also planning to set up a 200-bed Regional Cancer Centre which, according to the director, will be a blessing for cancer patients in the North East.
The director also appealed to the patients to directly approach NEIGRIHMS to avail themselves of the benefits under the State government’s health insurance scheme instead of spending on treatment in private hospitals.
The State government had already tied with NEIGRIHMS to provide the benefits of the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme to patients.