PRESS RELEASE

November 1, 2012 was a proud moment for Manipur State. In a glittering ceremoy held in the Ball Room, Hyatt Hotel, New Delhi, Manipur was awarded the best performing State in small state category on Health by India Today. The award was received by Shri Phungzathang Tonsing, Hon'ble Minister, Health and Family Welfare Manipur. The award was handed over to him by Shri Sharad Pawar, Hon'ble Union Minister, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution.

The award ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including Chief Minister Omer Abdula, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Smt. Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Pritviran Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Chief Minster of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Lalthanhawla, Chief Minster of Mizoram, and Shri Aroon Purie, Chief Editor and Promoter of India Today Group.

Shri Phungzathang Tonsing, Hon'ble Minister was accompanied by Messrs Ram Muivah, IAS Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), Deves Deval, IAS State Mission Director, NRHM Manipur and his son Khanthang Tonsing and daughter-in-law Grace Tonsing.

Despite many challenges, general health status in Manipur is positive. This is ambly demonstrated by good level of indicators in key areas which are above of India averages. They are as in the case of IMR (Infant Mortality Rate) 11, which is one of the lowest in the country along with Goa, MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate) is 160 and TFR (Total Fertility Rate) is 1.5%.

It may be recalled that this is the second time for Manipur Health Department has been awarded. The first one was awarded in 1986 by Health and Family welfare, Government of India when T. Phungzathang was Minister (Health and Family Welfare).

(L. Ibeyaima Devi)
Deputy Resident Commissioner
Governemnt of Manipur,
New Delhi
Dt: 2/11/2012