In a significant pro-people initiative aimed at easing the burden of medical travel and treatment, Chief Minister Pema Khandu virtually inaugurated the Arunachal Pradesh Patients’ Guest House at Katpadi in Vellore.
According to a press release, the facility is dedicated to patients from Arunachal Pradesh undergoing treatment at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. Highlighting the long-pending demand from patients and their families, the Chief Minister noted that many patients from the State are referred to CMC Vellore for specialised treatment, often requiring long durations of stay.
The guest house will provide low-cost, clean, and convenient accommodation, offering much-needed financial relief to patients and their attendants. As per records from CMC, an average of 466 patients from Arunachal Pradesh visit the hospital every month, translating to over 5,500 patients annually.
Recognising this volume, the Arunachal Pradesh government took steps to address the accommodation challenge faced by patients during extended treatments. The facility, located in Gandhi Nagar in Katpadi will be operated by Arunachal Pradesh government under the General Administration Department (GAD) in collaboration with M/s Blossom Hospitality Services through a three-year MoU, modeled on the existing guest house facility for cancer patients in Mumbai.
The arrangement will continue until a permanent guest house is constructed on land owned by the Department of Health. The guest house features 28 rooms—15 air-conditioned and 13 non-air-conditioned, priced at Rs. 600 and Rs. 400 per night, respectively. Each room is equipped with self-cooking facilities, in addition to common kitchens and dining halls, ensuring a homely environment for patients and their attendants during recovery.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Khandu said, “I dedicate this service to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. It will immensely benefit many poor families seeking medical care at CMC, Vellore. This is a sincere effort by a pro-people Government to stand with our citizens during their most difficult times.”
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support patients not just through affordable accommodation but also through financial aid under the Chief Minister’s Arogya Arunachal Yojana (CMAY), the release said.
Published – August 09, 2025 11:21 pm IST
