Renewed push to upgrade status of NEIGRIHMS

SHILLONG, June 25: The demand to grant Institute of National Importance (INI) status to NEIGRIHMS has been pending for years, but there are renewed efforts to achieve this designation for the super specialty hospital and institute in Shillong.
NEIGRIHMS Medical Superintendent Dr C Daniela stated that the institute is continuously striving to obtain the INI status. According to Dr Daniela, the Health Ministry had previously agreed in principle to grant the INI status, but with the appointment of a new minister, renewed efforts are necessary.
One significant advantage of attaining INI status is that NEIGRIHMS would be able to independently start postgraduate and super specialty courses with permission from the National Medical Commission (NMC). “We are trying our best to get INI status,” Dr Daniela said.
He informed that since the Ministry has already approved the proposal, the next step is to get it passed in Parliament through an Act. Despite having the necessary equipment and expertise, several departments at NEIGRIHMS are unable to start PG courses due to the difficulty in obtaining permissions from the NMC. However, with INI status, the institute could begin these courses autonomously.
Additionally, there would be a potential hike in benefits for the working professionals at the institute once the INI status is secured.