Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad showed worry over lack of physicians and infrastructure in the health segment of the north-eastern States comprising Assam under the National Rural Health Mission.

Mr. Azad also said that there was also a need to rationalize available manpower.

During his official visit at Nagaon Civil Hospital, Azad told, “There were problems of specialized manpower in most of the NE states and there was a need to rationalise the available work force so that maximum facilities were made functional at each level and services were available to remote areas.”

Moreover, Mr. Azad praised the efforts of Assam CM Tarun Gogoi and State Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma in the medical arena.

He asked them to carry on their efforts for taking the initiative to perk up health segment, and guaranteed full central aid and cooperation.

He lauded the state government for starting different plans including the boat clinics, telemedicine and management of health centres by NGOs.

During an informal discussion, Mr. Azad told mediapersons about Centre’s verdict to establish private medical colleges under the management of State administrations, especially in the NE region.