Shillong, Sep 3: The Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. M Ampareen Lyngdoh, is spearheading an official delegation to Japan, aimed at strengthening collaboration in healthcare and agriculture between Meghalaya and Japan.
Dr. Lyngdoh is accompanied by the Secretary in-charge of Health & Family Welfare, Ram Kumar. On September 2, the delegation visited Tsurumaki Onsen Hospital, where they met with the hospital director and interacted with three nurses from Meghalaya who have been employed there. These placements are the result of efforts by the State Government in collaboration with Navis Corporation.
Dr. Lyngdoh expressed satisfaction with the welfare of the nurses and emphasized, “Our priority is to ensure that our healthcare professionals are well-supported in their roles abroad. We are committed to facilitating such opportunities for our people.”
The delegation also visited the Alive Healthcare Centre in Tokyo, a premium facility for elderly care. During the visit, they engaged in discussions with the president of the organization, who expressed interest in hiring ten more nurses from Meghalaya. “We are thrilled by the prospect of expanding our workforce with skilled nurses from Meghalaya,” said the president of Alive Healthcare Centre. The organization is scheduled to visit Shillong on September 17 for a job fair to recruit these nurses.
The delegation welcomed this opportunity and assured the full support of the State Government. “We are dedicated to ensuring that our nurses find meaningful employment in Japan and contribute to the global healthcare system,” Dr. Lyngdoh stated.
On September 3, the delegation is scheduled to meet the Ambassador of India to Japan at the Embassy of India in Tokyo to further discuss bilateral relations.
Looking ahead, Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh, who also serves as the Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, will travel to Kurihara-shi in Miyagi Prefecture on September 5. The visit will focus on Mizudori Farm of Yats Corporation Private Limited, where Dr. Lyngdoh will explore advancements in the cultivation of Shiitake mushrooms. This visit follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 between Yats Corporation, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and the Hill Farmers Union (HFU) to promote Japanese Shiitake mushroom cultivation in Meghalaya.
“The collaboration with Yats Corporation is vital for our agricultural development. We aim to bring innovative farming techniques back to Meghalaya to benefit our local farmers,” Dr. Lyngdoh remarked.
This visit marks a significant step in enhancing Meghalaya’s international partnerships in both healthcare and agriculture.