Assam: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda, on January 8, inaugurated a state-of-the-art library and information centre at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Health Institute in Tezpur.
Built at a cost of ₹12 crore, the facility aims to enhance academic and research capabilities at the institution. Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the Union Minister for the inauguration.
The institute, a pivotal healthcare and education hub under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, also houses a specialized mental health department.
After unveiling the new library, JP Nadda attended a meeting of the Board of Governors, which included prominent attendees such as Dr. Jyoti Hazarika, Director of the Institute; Dr. Hemanta Dutta, Deputy Director; Dr. Atul Goel, Director of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and Professor Noni Gopal Mahanta, Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University.
Established in 1876 during British rule as a “Lunatic Asylum,” the institution has undergone several transformations over the decades. Renamed in 1989 to honor Bharat Ratna awardee Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi, it was brought under the jurisdiction of the North Eastern Council in 1999.
Since then, it has expanded its scope, offering a diploma course in mental health treatment starting in 2000, a DNB program in 2006, an MSc in Nursing in 2007, and an MD course in mental health from 2010.
Today, the institute operates with 376 beds and is recognized as a leader in mental health education and care. The newly inaugurated library and information centre are expected to further empower students, researchers, and staff with modern resources and technology.
Following the inauguration, JP Nadda toured the institute’s medical facilities alongside Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Health Minister Ashok Singhal. The visit underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare and education infrastructure in the Northeast.
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