Imphal: The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), on Friday has submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, calling for the immediate establishment of a Model Rural Health Research Unit (MRHRU) in Senapati district to address long-standing healthcare disparities between the valley and hill districts of the state.
The appeal comes after a three-member scientific team led by Dr. P.K. Borah, Scientist-F, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dibrugarh, conducted a field inspection in Senapati on July 3, 2025. The team reportedly found the district suitable for setting up the proposed unit, which aligns with ICMR’s objective of strengthening health research in rural areas and tackling region-specific health problems.
In its memorandum, ANSAM expressed deep concern over the dismay on the acute disparities between the valley and hills primarily inhabited by the tribal people especially in health care sector in the state of Manipur due to its rural location, poor infrastructures and lack of research driven centre.
According to the representation, valley districts boast three medical colleges—RIMS, JNIMS, and Shija Academy of Health Sciences (SAHS)—along with numerous nursing colleges and paramedical training institutes. Research initiatives are also well established in the valley, with Multidisciplinary Research Units (MRUs) and Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) operational under the Ministry of Health and ICMR.
In stark contrast, the hill districts have only one medical college, the Churachandpur Medical College (CMC), which was established in 2022. Furthermore, there is no medical research unit in any of the hill districts despite the prevalence of diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, scrub typhus, and other vector-borne illnesses, which are rampant due to hilly terrain and thick forest cover.
The memorandum also noted that district hospitals and health centers in the hills face severe shortages of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff, alongside poor connectivity and communication facilities—denying even basic healthcare to rural populations.
ANSAM emphasized that Senapati District, situated strategically along National Highway-2 (Asian Highway-1) and serving as a convergence point for several hill districts, is an ideal location for the MRHRU. With its predominantly rural and tribal population, the district is well positioned to serve as a hub for addressing healthcare inequities across the hills.
“The establishment of a Model Rural Health Research Unit in Senapati is not just a necessity but a long overdue step toward ensuring equitable healthcare for tribal communities of Manipur,” ANSAM stated.
The Association urged the Governor to recommend and pursue the matter with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the ICMR for early sanction, citing the positive feasibility inspection already carried out by experts.
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