Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda rolled out several key healthcare initiatives in Assam on Wednesday, including the inauguration of a new library and informatics centre at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH) in Tezpur, Sonitpur district. Nadda, accompanied by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, also laid the foundation for a critical care block at Mangaldai Civil Hospital in Darrang district and reviewed ongoing healthcare projects in the state.

Nadda, who arrived in Guwahati late on Tuesday, initially planned to travel to Tezpur by helicopter, but due to inclement weather, he opted for a road journey. At LGBRIMH, Nadda inaugurated the new library and informatics centre, designed to support mental health research and education. During his visit, he attended the Board of Governors meeting, where key proposals to accelerate the institute’s development were approved.

After Tezpur, Nadda visited Mangaldai, where he laid the foundation stone for a 50-bed critical care block at Mangaldai Civil Hospital. The project, which falls under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, will cost Rs 23.75 crore and is expected to be completed within 18 months. Nadda also announced plans for the establishment of 28 similar critical care units across Assam, with full funding from the central government.

In addition, Nadda visited the Assam Cancer Hospital in Mangaldai, set to provide advanced cancer care to local residents, and inspected the Sipajhar First Referral Unit in Darrang district to assess healthcare services.

Nadda’s final stop was AIIMS Guwahati, where he expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing developments. He confirmed that the OPD and faculty divisions are operational, and the inpatient division (IPD) is expected to be fully functional by mid-2025.

The visit highlighted the central government’s commitment to enhancing Assam’s healthcare infrastructure and improving medical services across the state.