Foundation stone laid for Ayush hospital

Shillong: Meghalaya Health Minister A L Hek Saturday laid the foundation Stone for the 50-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Sohra in the state.

The minister expressed happiness that after years of continuous efforts and proposals, the Ministry of AYUSH under the National AYUSH Mission has allotted sanction for the setting up of two hospitals, one in Sohra and the other at Ri Bhoi District.

"The government wants to promote the concept of Health Tourism at Sohra. The place is adorned with a natural scenic beauty known throughout the world making it a sought after tourist destination attracting visitors from around the country and the world over," Hek said at the function.

He said that through this centre, the practices of local and traditional healers would also be integrated with the AYUSH programme which will help to revive and promote the ancient and traditional methods of healing.

He also cited the example of Kerala, where its health tourism, promoted through the traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda and Siddha, attracts tourists from all over the world.

Sohra MLA Gavin M Mylliem said that it was a privilege and a matter of pride for the people of Sohra that such a hospital was being set up in the region.