Northeast Emerging as Healthcare Hub: Sonowal

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday said improved connectivity, new medical institutions, and expanded healthcare schemes are positioning the Northeast as a hub of South East Asia. Speaking at a conclave in Guwahati, he highlighted reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014, including the expansion of AIIMS from 7 to 23, with AIIMS Guwahati delivering world-class care to the region.

He cited flagship schemes like Ayushman Bharat, which has provided financial cover to 55 crore citizens, and Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, offering affordable medicines through 11,000 outlets. Medical education has also doubled in capacity, easing the shortage of doctors.

Sonowal emphasized modern diagnostics for critical diseases, eco-friendly hospital design, and the role of AIIMS Guwahati in positioning the Northeast as a rising hub of medical excellence.