C-CAMP partners Novo Nordisk Foundation to augment a 54 oxygenated bed hospital facility in Assam

New Delhi: Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in partnership with Danish Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF), has supported augmentation of a 54 oxygenated bed hospital facility in Uluoni CHC, Simonabasti, Nagaon Assam in Northeast India as part of a larger DKK 10 Million, (approximately Rs. 12 crore) worth project to develop models for rapid augmentation of healthcare infrastructure in India.

The project was completed under the guidance from the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, Invest India, and Danish Embassy in India.

Announced while India was reeling under a vicious, lethal Second Wave, the collaboration’s primary aim was to address inadequate advanced public healthcare facilities across India, including underserved states. Now though the journey towards COVID-19 endemicity looks possible, hospitals under this project are envisioned to fill the preparedness capacity in the existing public healthcare system and increase access for millions in remote, inaccessible corners of India.

The State Govt of Assam has been instrumental in the selection of the site, foundation work and infrastructure upgrade. At the launch today, Hon’ble Health Minister of Assam who personally oversaw the project implementation said, “Initially the augmented hospital facility was proposed to be a temporary structure. But we decided to fund it so that it can last for 10-20 years and can serve the whole district. We will assign a dedicated staff for this facility, which along with the existing CHC now has 84 beds. If required we will make new staff quarters, so that they all can stay here and provide care.”

Danish Ambassador to India, H.E. Freddy Svane said, “I am happy to know the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has made it his mission to secure that public health is being taken to the all the part of India. This is an important partnership not just for the beneficiaries but also to us, we are in talks with India for more such partnerships.”

Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof. K Vijay Raghavan said “The areas of the North East have many many challenges but also has dedicated leadership that can rise to these challenges, amongst the efforts to set up hospitals throughout India, those in the North East stand out immensely.”

C-CAMP CEO & Director Dr Taslimarif Saiyed said, “Thanks to the generous support from Novo Nordisk and State Health Department partners, we can look 10/20 years ahead in terms of creating impact. In 6 months’ time, the NNF support has been matched by public health stakeholders by 80% and putting in place a model to bridge gaps in any public system. This could be a landmark partnership for public health infrastructure augmentation projects with difficult roadmaps, timeline challenges, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.”

The project initiated on 9^th May, 2021 was slated to support establishment of new emergency hospitals and a number of mobile hospital units with a total 350+ beds and the capacity to treat close to 1300 COVID-19 patients per week with oxygen concentrators and respiratory support equipment among other critical care infrastructure. Of these 350, 250 beds are already completed covering five sites across four states – Punjab, Haryana, Nagaland, Assam, and Sikkim. The work at the Assam site began in July 2021 and was finished in January 2022. The facility has been constructed with the expertise of Tata Steel who was the technical partner for the site. The facilities are equipped with all the necessary amenities and are expected to enhance the pandemic preparedness capacity of the area. Additionally, the facility will be used in various healthcare efforts in the future such as treating dengue patients and as a general ward, etc.

The highlight of the project is showcasing that the rapid installation of healthcare facilities in remote areas is doable in a quick and efficient manner in response to challenges in public health and create a model for such development in the future.

The newly built hospital was inaugurated by the Minister of Health & Family Welfare Assam, Keshab Mahanta, Danish Ambassador to India, H.E. Freddy Svane, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof. K Vijay Raghavan, and Mission Director, NHM, Assam, Dr. Lakshamanan S.

Also present on the occasuion were C-CAMP CEO & Director Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Counsellor for Science, Innovation and Higher Education at Embassy of Denmark in India, Jakob Williams Oerberg, Executive Director, NHM Assam, Dr. Manoj Chaudhary, Technology Officer at the office of the PSA, Govt of India, Mudit Narain, Head, AGNIi Mission, office of the PSA, Govt of India and Vice President, Invest India, Rahul Nayar, ADC Health of Nagaon, Prashant Barua.