GUWAHATI: The Assam State Secondary Healthcare Initiative for Service Delivery Transformation, or ASSIST, has been launched by Assam with a project outlay of Rs. 2,529.17 crore. This transformational scheme is going to build up the health care infrastructure of the state through the construction of new hospitals and redevelopment of the existing ones.
Under the ASSIST scheme, 10 district hospitals are being established, adding 1,150 beds to the state's healthcare infrastructure. The new facilities include a 150-bedded hospital at Kaliabor, and 100-bedded hospitals at Dudhnoi, Sarukhetri, Kaliapani, Narayanapur, Azara, Lakhipur, Abhayapuri, and Bajali, along with a 200-bedded hospital at Dibrugarh.
In addition to the new hospitals, 25 others will be re-developed. This initiative is aimed at ensuring greater accessibility to secondary care in general, but especially to underserved rural and semi-urban areas, by enhancing the infrastructure and delivery of service.
ASSIST involves the following, streamlining operations at different administrative levels, upgrading of infrastructure to keep with modern health service standards, and ensuring essential services reach the marginalized communities.
The Chief Minister said the new scheme ASSIST will help bridge healthcare delivery gaps and enhance services to rural and semi-urban areas. The setting up of 10 new hospitals and improving existing ones will vastly enhance the delivery of healthcare services in Assam.
It epitomizes Assam's keen aspiration in ensuring fair and quality care for its population, catapulting the state as a major player in regional health-care reform.
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