EXCLUSIVE: Japanese help sought to boost infra, set up Health Villages, Micro Clinics in North Eastern region
NEW DELHI: With an eye on the holistic development of the North-Eastern region of India and strengthen its infrastructure, promote tourism and provide healthcare facilities, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has proposed to constitute a dedicated ‘Japan Invest North East Development Committee’ to work towards the objective.
To be formed by India-Japan Business Promotion Council of Assocham, the proposed committee is likely to have representatives from Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), JICA, JCCII, Japan Embassy, NEC Technologies and from Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC), and would soon put up a report with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) seeking financial support as the project requires huge investment.
According to Rahul Sharma, chairman, India-Japan Business Promotion Council of Assocham, besides road, rail and air connectivity, capacity buildings and employment generation issues, the proposed ‘Japan Invest North East Development Committee’ would address the healthcare issues in the eight states of North East Region of India with the help of Government of Japan, its Embassy and other agencies in India.
“The plan envisages setting up of 100 Micro Clinics and four Health Villages in the northeastern states as the region is rich in natural herbs and Ayurvedic medicines, and it can be developed as a healthcare tourism destination as well,” said Sharma who will chair the committee.
The Health Clinics will ensure the treatment reaches in the remote locations of northeastern states with the effective use of telemedicine concept, and artificial intelligence (AI) treatment solutions and this would also require imparting training to a number of doctors.
“We plan to set up Health Villages or Medical Villages in the states of Manipur and Shillong in phase 1 and spread further later as the region is plush with rich ayurvedic medicines and local herbs like black turmeric and others. These villages will offer modern as well as conventional treatment using an effective fusion of modern technology and available natural medicines and environment,” said Sharma.
J C Pegu, former principal commissioner (Income Tax), Ministry of Finance and North East, and Advisor North-East, Assocham is also likely to be inducted into the committee.
Pegu who hails from Assam comes with in-depth and vast knowledge of the topography of the northeastern states, its demographic, political and socio-economic profile besides 35 years of domain experience in the finance ministry. Pegu owns rich experience of working in this region even while he was with the ministry from where he retired in 2016.
“Northeastern states have been devoid of basic infrastructure as well as elementary requirements such as healthcare, employment, training and education for very long. Hence, there lies a huge scope for working in this region for the welfare of the people,” said Pegu.
As Japan and its agencies like NEC Technologies India happen to be the part of the project, the initiative could also get crucial equipment from Japanese companies Toshiba, and Kubota for new-age developed seeds and agricultural implements.
According to Sharma it is not only India as a whole could look for healthcare benefits towards North East region but also neighboring countries sharing borders with northeastern states like Myanmar and Bangladesh can also benefits from this concept.
The whole initiative would induce demand for training local youths in nursing care, agriculture and service sector thus boosting employment opportunities.
