By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 17: The first nursing institute in Ri-Bhoi, St. Joseph Academy of Shillong was inaugurated on December 17. Archbishop of Shillong, Fr Victor Lyngdoh, inaugurated the new office building located in Umtrew.
Speaking on this project, former Health Minister Alexander Laloo Hek said that they have set up this academy of nursing since there is no nursing institute in the district. Hek, who is also the advisor of the nursing academy, said that he felt the need to set up the nursing academy since he had earlier witnessed as the Health Minister the shortage of doctors and nurses in state’s various health centres.
“I felt that there is a need to do something in the health sector,” he said. Therefore, to cater to the youth who want to pursue nursing as a profession, the new institute has been started in Ri-Bhoi.
Open for nursing aspirants from all parts of Meghalaya, the academy at present has a capacity of 60 seats each for GNM and B.Sc. Nursing.
Although the academy is yet to receive NEHU affiliation for B.Sc. Nursing, GNM courses, affiliated with DHS (MI) and Meghalaya Nursing Council have already been filled up. On the occasion, Umsning MLA Jason S Mawlong formally released the MEBAAI anthem written by Hek and composed by noted singer and composer, Sylvester Mukhim.
