The Assam Health and Family Welfare Department and the Medical Education and Research Department organised the ‘Swasthya Chintan Shivir 2026’ at the Assam Administrative Staff College in Guwahati on Tuesday with the objective of making Assam’s healthcare system more advanced, modern, quality-driven and people-centric.
The day-long brainstorming session focused on identifying new directions and strengthening the state’s healthcare, medical education, research and innovation ecosystem. Various critical issues related to healthcare delivery and institutional performance were discussed in detail.
Addressing the inaugural session, Assam Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research, Ashok Singhal highlighted the need to further strengthen the state’s healthcare system, improve the quality of medical education and research, ensure patient-centric healthcare delivery and expand the use of modern technology in the health sector.
The key objective of the Shivir was to strengthen healthcare, medical education, research and innovation in Assam through excellence, technology and financial sustainability.
Following the inaugural session, discussions were held on government priorities, academic excellence, financial sustainability, digital transformation and the use of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare.
The Shivir also focused on innovation in medical education, greater coordination among different institutions and systems, and developing a clear roadmap for the future.
The discussions emphasised improving the quality of medical education and building a skilled and competent healthcare workforce in the state.
A dedicated session was held on maternal, newborn and child health, along with public health priorities at the district level. Discussions focused on strengthening maternal and child health services and improving the effectiveness of healthcare delivery at the district level.
Special emphasis was also placed on strengthening the patient referral and post-referral care system. Discussions focused on ensuring timely referral of patients to appropriate healthcare institutions based on their medical needs, while maintaining continuity of care after referral.
