GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, May 16, said the state government is preparing a series of major policy initiatives in the healthcare and mining sectors following high-level departmental review meetings held in Guwahati.
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Sharing details on social media, Sarma said the Health and Medical Education Department has been directed to fast-track efforts towards building a “Swasth Assam” by strengthening healthcare infrastructure and expanding medical education facilities across the state.
During the review meeting, the Chief Minister assessed the progress of 10 medical colleges currently under construction in Assam and instructed officials to gradually introduce advanced healthcare technologies and specialised treatment facilities. These include robotic surgeries, liver transplant services and the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare systems.
Sarma also directed all districts in the state to begin the process of establishing nursing colleges to boost the availability of trained healthcare professionals in the coming years.
The meeting further reviewed the progress of proton beam therapy facilities, the expansion of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, and the implementation of schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Assam, along with the functioning of cancer care centres across the state.
Discussions also focused on improving patient care in government hospitals, ensuring the availability of medicines and filling vacancies in the health sector.
On the mining front, Sarma said Assam possesses significant reserves of rare earth elements and other strategic minerals that are crucial for emerging Industry 4.0 technologies.
He said officials have been asked to begin mineral exploration activities in line with the Centre’s policies, while ongoing exploration projects in the state have already attracted investment commitments exceeding Rs 50,000 crore.
The Chief Minister, however, stressed that all mining activities in Assam must be carried out sustainably and within the existing environmental framework.