Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Takes Over Health Department Charge Amid Cabinet Rejig

Keshab Mahanta, a prominent member of BJP’s alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), previously held the health portfolio but now assumes departments of Transport, Excise, and Fisheries

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has restructured his cabinet, taking personal charge of the Health and Family Welfare Department in a decisive move on Tuesday.

This strategic reshuffle sees Sarma, who already manages the portfolios of home, personnel, public works, medical education and research, and indigenous and tribal faith and culture, further consolidating his grip on Assam's administrative machinery.

Keshab Mahanta, a prominent member of BJP’s alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), previously held the health portfolio but now assumes additional responsibilities.

Mahanta will be taking charge of Transport, Excise, and Fisheries, previously overseen by Parimal Suklabaidya. This reassignment adds to Mahanta's existing portfolio of Science, Technology and Climate Change, and Information Technology.

The reshuffle comes in the wake of Parimal Suklabaidya’s resignation from the Council of Ministers after he was elected a Member of Parliament from the Silchar constituency.

Suklabaidya’s transition from the state legislative assembly, where he served as the MLA of Dholai, to the national stage has sparked significant political shifts.

Sarma’s Return as Assam’s Health Minister

Himanta Biswa Sarma previously served as the Health Minister of Assam from 2006 to 2014, a tenure marked by significant contributions to the state’s healthcare system.

His leadership was instrumental during the COVID-19 crisis, where he ramped up health infrastructure, expanded testing facilities, and implemented measures to alleviate the hardships faced by patients, their families, and stranded migrant workers during the lockdown.

During his earlier tenure, Sarma introduced several key health initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services across Assam.

He launched the Ayushman Asom-Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, a family health insurance policy providing medical treatment coverage of up to INR 5 Lakh per household.

Additionally, he spearheaded the Ten ICU Bed Project to enhance critical care facilities and established the National Emergency Life Support (NELS) Skill Centre at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for comprehensive emergency care training.

Sarma's efforts also included setting up the Multidisciplinary Research Unit (MRU) at GMCH to facilitate advanced medical research, installing a 32 Slice CT Scan Machine through a CSR initiative by Guwahati Refinery, and launching an oncology lab at the State Cancer Institute at GMCH to advance cancer care and research.

On 17th June, CM Sarma spent several hours at GMCH reviewing the progress of the INR 375 Cr Maternity & Child Hospital which the Assam government aims to complete by April 2025.

Recent Healthcare Initiatives in Assam

Bengaluru-based biotech innovation hub, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Medical Education & Research Department (ME&RD), Government of Assam to strengthen public health infrastructure.

As of now, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) backed innovation center has executed three vital healthcare programs in Assam, funded by national and international philanthropic organizations. These programs have targeted areas such as maternal and child healthcare, hospital infrastructure, and immunization, including COVID-19 drives.

In March, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Silchar Cancer Centre, an INR 295 Cr project, at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH).

He also laid the foundation stone of Karimganj Medical College, set to be built for INR 578 Cr. Additionally, the CM performed Bhumi Pujan for various projects across Cachar, Karimganj, Karbi Anglong, and West Karbi Anglong.

This cancer care unit is part of a network of 17 hospitals across the state, a joint initiative between the state government and Tata Trusts.