SHILLONG, Jan 21: Health Minister, James PK Sangma on Friday inaugurated a state-of-the-art diagnostic centre at Pasteur Institute, Lawmali Pyllun.
In June 2019, the state government had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Suraksha & Salvia Global LLP for setting up the centre under public-private partnership (PPP) mode.
Dedicating the project to the people of the state as a part of the golden jubilee celebrations of statehood, Sangma said diagnosis is an essential step in modern medical science before treatment.
“The people of the state will no longer be required to go to Guwahati for a simple test. Today, we can do all the necessary tests at one place with the commissioning of this diagnostic centre,” he said.
This is a very important step in terms of the direction of health care system in the state, he said.
Pointing out that diagnosis is about accuracy, Sangma said this is the path of moving forward to integrate technology with modern medical science to bring about better and faster diagnostic results. He said this is one of the finest laboratories in the Northeast.
It is in line with the accreditation standards of the College of American Pathologists which is the global benchmark of excellence. The centre also conforms to the pertinent ISO norms, he said.
“The pathology department is being commissioned. It will become the largest and most advanced diagnostic centre in entire Northeast once the radiology and other units become functional,” the Health Minister said.
According to him, the routine tests will be performed to the fullest capacity. The presence of high-end diagnostics, esoteric, will now be possible at the centre which includes sharply-targeted diagnosis for oncology, neurology, gastroenterology and other serious infections,” Sangma said.
As regards cancer, the stage and source of the disease can be accurately pinpointed leading to timely medical action, he said.
Sangma also said some medical techniques to be applied will include molecular pathology, histopathology and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in order to give more advanced results.
Christopher Rani from the Salvia Designated Partners said Suraksha Diagnostic has managed to create this high-tech quality facility for the benefit of the citizens of the state.
“This project is under PPP mode and probably, the first of its kind in the Northeast. The centre will deliver exclusive healthcare in futuristic way,” Rani said.
According to him, the project would not have been possible without the support of the state government.
“The centre has the most sophisticated and advanced equipment to conduct the tests for viral infections, maternal health, molecular screening, neonatal screening and also the test related to transplants that can facilitate ultra modern set up. The equipment at the centre has been brought from Sweden and Japan,” Rani said.
The total cost of the project is around Rs 100 crore and it includes the land and infrastructure provided by the state government.
Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar, Commissioner & Secretary M Nampui, DHS (MI) Dr Aman War were among those present.