More than a hospital : 41 years of healing lives, shaping futures and strengthening Manipur
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Maibam Romiyo
On 3rd July 2026, Shija Hospitals & Research Institute marks a remarkable milestone, 41 years of dedicated service to humanity. More than an anniversary, the occasion offers an opportunity to reflect on a journey that mirrors the aspirations, resilience, cha- llenges, and progress of Manipur itself. From its modest beginnings in 1985, Shija has grown into one of North East India’s leading healthcare institutions. Built on a vision of making quality and affordable health- care accessible closer to home, the institution has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem encompassing advanced clinical care, medical education, research, organ trans- plantation, medical tourism, employment generation, and sustainable healthcare innovation. Over four decades, Shija has transformed the healthcare landscape of the region. Through continuous investments in infrastructure, technology, human resources, and innovation, the institution has become a symbol of healthcare excellence for Manipur and beyond.
Yet the story of Shija extends far beyond hospital walls. One of its most enduring contributions lies in the field of education. Recognizing that the future of healthcare depends upon the quality of its professionals, the institution has invested significantly in nurturing the next generation of doctors, specialists, nurses, and paramedical personnel. This commitment to academic excellence was recently demonstrated by the outstanding performance of the first MBBS batch of Shija Academy of Health Sciences. In the final MBBS examinations conducted by Manipur University, Shija students achieved exceptional results, securing 8 positions among the top 10 rank holders, 15 positions among the top 20, and 35 positions among the top 50 performers. Such achievements reflect not only academic excellence but also the institution’s commitment to producing future healthcare leaders capable of serving the State, the region, and the Nation.
In addition to MBBS education, Shija has contributed significantly to healthcare workforce development through the training of DrNB specialists, nursing professionals, and paramedical personnel. These efforts have strengthened healthcare delivery systems across the North East and beyond while reducing the region’s dependence on external manpower. The institution’s commitment to excellence is equally reflected in its clinical achievements.
Today, Shija stands as one of the pioneers of organ transplantation in North East India. As of July 2026, the institute has successfully performed 132 kidney transplants, benefiting patients from Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Bihar, and neighboring Myanmar. Significantly, seven of these transplants were performed in Tripura, demonstrating the institution’s growing role as a regional center of excellence in renal science. Equally noteworthy is Shija’s pioneering contribution to the promotion of deceased organ donation. Through sustained public awareness campaigns, community engagement, and professional education initiatives, the institution has helped transform public understanding of organ donation. The successful facilitation of five deceased organ donations has provided renewed hope to numerous patients and families while promoting one of the noblest expressions of human compassion.
The impact of Shija extends beyond healthcare and education. Over the years, the institution has become a significant contributor to the economy of Manipur through employment generation, skill development, and service-sector growth. The hospital directly supports a large workforce comprising doctors, nurses, educators, researchers, administrators, technicians, and support personnel. Its activities also generate substantial indirect employment through hospitality, transport, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, maintenance services, local vendors, and allied sectors.
The institution has further strengthened the State’s economy through its pioneering role in medical tourism. Medical tourism supports hotels, restaurants, transportation services, retailers, and numerous small and medium enterprises that form part of the State’s service economy.
One of Shija’s most significant yet often under- appreciated contributions has been its role in reducing the economic outflow associated with healthcare and medical education. For decades, thousands of families from Manipur travelled to metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Guwahati, and Vellore in search of specialized treatment and quality medical education. These journeys imposed enormous financial burdens through travel, accommodation, food, attendant expenses, and loss of income, resulting in a substantial outflow of resources from the State’s economy. By bringing advanced tertiary and quaternary healthcare services closer to home, Shija has enabled patients to receive affordable, high- quality treatment within Manipur itself. Services such as organ transplantation, neurology, neurosur- gery, nephrology, cardiology, urology, critical care, minimally invasive surgeries, and specialized diagnostics have significantly reduced the need for patients to seek treatment outside the State.
This has not only improved accessibility and affordability but has also helped retain valuable economic resources within Manipur.
Equally important is the institution’s contribution to medical education. Through Shija Academy of Health Sciences, aspiring doctors and healthcare professionals can now pursue quality medical education within the State rather than relocating elsewhere. This reduces the financial burden on families while ensuring that educational expenditure remains within the local economy. More importantly, it nurtures a skilled healthcare workforce capable of serving Manipur and the North East for generations to come. The success of the first MBBS batch demonstrates that excellence in medical education can flourish within Manipur itself. By providing quality education at the doorstep of the people, Shija is helping build a future where talented students no longer need to leave the State to realize their professional aspirations. The institution is therefore not only saving lives but also retaining talent, knowledge, and economic value within Manipur.
Prior to the unfortunate events of 3rd May 2023, Manipur was witnessing encouraging economic progress. The State’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) was projected at approximately Rs 45,145 crore, with an anticipated growth rate of 21.9 percent. Tourism, healthcare, education, trade, and services were emerging as important pillars of economic growth. Institutions such as Shija were playing a vital role in strengthening these sectors by retaining healthcare and educational expenditure within the State while simultaneously attracting patients and students from beyond its borders.
However, the unfortunate events that unfolded from 3rd May 2023 significantly altered the State’s socio-economic trajectory. The prolonged socio-political unrest and deterioration of the law-and-order situation disrupted normal economic activity, affected business confidence, constrained mobility, and impacted multi- ple sectors including tourism, healthcare, hospitality, transportation, and trade. Among the most visible consequences was the decline in tourism.
Official reports indicate that tourist arrivals, which had exceeded 1.79 lakh visitors annually, declined dramatically to nearly 17,000 visitors during 2024-25, representing a reduction of more than 90 percent. The impact was felt across hotels, transport services, restaurants, travel agencies, handicraft businesses, and countless small enterprises dependent on visitor spending.
Healthcare institutions were similarly affected. Reduced mobility, disruptions in transportation networks, economic uncertainty, and weakened referral systems contributed to declining patient footfall, particularly among patients travelling from distant districts, neigh-boring States, and inter- national destinations. Healthcare providers increasingly found their service reach confined to a limited geographical catchment area compared to the broader regional footprint they had previously served. At the same time, rising inflation increased the cost of medicines, medical con-sumables, equipment main- tenance, logistics, fuel, electricity, and skilled manpower.
Hospitals faced the difficult challenge of balancing financial sustainability while ensuring that health-care remained affordable and accessible to patients. Despite the economic pressures and operational difficulties of recent years, Shija remained steadfast in its commitment to serving society. The institution continued to provide unin- terrupted healthcare services, strengthen medical education, advance research, support organ trans- plantation programs, and invest in future-ready healthcare solutions.
Today, Shija is looking beyond conventional healthcare delivery towards a more sustainable future. Recognizing the responsibility of healthcare institutions in addressing environmental challenges, the hospital has embraced a vision of developing a Net Zero Healthcare Campus in the years ahead. This commitment to sustainable healthcare innovation recently earned international recognition when the institution received the Sustainable Hospital Design Award from Health Environment Leadership Platform (H.E.L.P) at an international conference held in Hyderabad on 20th June 2026. The award recognizes Shija’s efforts to integrate environmentally responsible infrastructure, energy-efficient systems, sustainable resource management, and green healthcare practices into its long-term development strategy. The significance of such initiatives extends beyond environmental ste- wardship. Sustainable healthcare reduces operational costs, improves resource efficiency, strengthens long-term resilience, and creates a model for responsible institutional growth. It demonstrates how healthcare institutions can simultaneously serve patients, protect the environment, and contribute to economic sustainability.
In many ways, Shija’s journey mirrors the spirit of Manipur itself, a story of perseverance, courage, innovation, and hope. Through periods of growth and through times of uncertainty, the institution has remained committed to its founding mission of serving humanity with compassion, excellence, and integrity. As Shija Hospitals & Research Institute enters its fifth decade of service, it does so with gratitude for the trust placed in it by generations of patients, students, healthcare professionals, and communities. More importantly, it looks ahead with renewed determination to continue healing lives, advancing education, generating opportunities, driving innovation, protecting the environment, and contributing to the progress of Manipur and the Nation.
Forty-one years after its founding, Shija stands not merely as a hospital, but as a symbol of resilience, self-reliance, and possibly a reminder that institutions built on vision, service, and purpose can illuminate the path forward even in the most challenging times. By healing lives, educating future generations, retaining economic value within the State, and attracting people from beyond its borders, Shija continues to strengthen the social and economic foundations of Manipur.
The writer is Asst Manager, Public Relations Department, Shija Hospitals & Research Institute and Member, Public Relations Society of India and Indian Communication Congress
On 3rd July 2026, Shija Hospitals & Research Institute marks a remarkable milestone, 41 years of dedicated service to humanity. More than an anniversary, the occasion offers an opportunity to reflect on a journey that mirrors the aspirations, resilience, cha- llenges, and progress of Manipur itself. From its modest beginnings in 1985, Shija has grown into one of North East India’s leading healthcare institutions. Built on a vision of making quality and affordable health- care accessible closer to home, the institution has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem encompassing advanced clinical care, medical education, research, organ trans- plantation, medical tourism, employment generation, and sustainable healthcare innovation. Over four decades, Shija has transformed the healthcare landscape of the region. Through continuous investments in infrastructure, technology, human resources, and innovation, the institution has become a symbol of healthcare excellence for Manipur and beyond.
Yet the story of Shija extends far beyond hospital walls. One of its most enduring contributions lies in the field of education. Recognizing that the future of healthcare depends upon the quality of its professionals, the institution has invested significantly in nurturing the next generation of doctors, specialists, nurses, and paramedical personnel. This commitment to academic excellence was recently demonstrated by the outstanding performance of the first MBBS batch of Shija Academy of Health Sciences. In the final MBBS examinations conducted by Manipur University, Shija students achieved exceptional results, securing 8 positions among the top 10 rank holders, 15 positions among the top 20, and 35 positions among the top 50 performers. Such achievements reflect not only academic excellence but also the institution’s commitment to producing future healthcare leaders capable of serving the State, the region, and the Nation.
In addition to MBBS education, Shija has contributed significantly to healthcare workforce development through the training of DrNB specialists, nursing professionals, and paramedical personnel. These efforts have strengthened healthcare delivery systems across the North East and beyond while reducing the region’s dependence on external manpower. The institution’s commitment to excellence is equally reflected in its clinical achievements.
Today, Shija stands as one of the pioneers of organ transplantation in North East India. As of July 2026, the institute has successfully performed 132 kidney transplants, benefiting patients from Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Bihar, and neighboring Myanmar. Significantly, seven of these transplants were performed in Tripura, demonstrating the institution’s growing role as a regional center of excellence in renal science. Equally noteworthy is Shija’s pioneering contribution to the promotion of deceased organ donation. Through sustained public awareness campaigns, community engagement, and professional education initiatives, the institution has helped transform public understanding of organ donation. The successful facilitation of five deceased organ donations has provided renewed hope to numerous patients and families while promoting one of the noblest expressions of human compassion.
The impact of Shija extends beyond healthcare and education. Over the years, the institution has become a significant contributor to the economy of Manipur through employment generation, skill development, and service-sector growth. The hospital directly supports a large workforce comprising doctors, nurses, educators, researchers, administrators, technicians, and support personnel. Its activities also generate substantial indirect employment through hospitality, transport, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, maintenance services, local vendors, and allied sectors.
The institution has further strengthened the State’s economy through its pioneering role in medical tourism. Medical tourism supports hotels, restaurants, transportation services, retailers, and numerous small and medium enterprises that form part of the State’s service economy.
One of Shija’s most significant yet often under- appreciated contributions has been its role in reducing the economic outflow associated with healthcare and medical education. For decades, thousands of families from Manipur travelled to metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Guwahati, and Vellore in search of specialized treatment and quality medical education. These journeys imposed enormous financial burdens through travel, accommodation, food, attendant expenses, and loss of income, resulting in a substantial outflow of resources from the State’s economy. By bringing advanced tertiary and quaternary healthcare services closer to home, Shija has enabled patients to receive affordable, high- quality treatment within Manipur itself. Services such as organ transplantation, neurology, neurosur- gery, nephrology, cardiology, urology, critical care, minimally invasive surgeries, and specialized diagnostics have significantly reduced the need for patients to seek treatment outside the State.
This has not only improved accessibility and affordability but has also helped retain valuable economic resources within Manipur.
Equally important is the institution’s contribution to medical education. Through Shija Academy of Health Sciences, aspiring doctors and healthcare professionals can now pursue quality medical education within the State rather than relocating elsewhere. This reduces the financial burden on families while ensuring that educational expenditure remains within the local economy. More importantly, it nurtures a skilled healthcare workforce capable of serving Manipur and the North East for generations to come. The success of the first MBBS batch demonstrates that excellence in medical education can flourish within Manipur itself. By providing quality education at the doorstep of the people, Shija is helping build a future where talented students no longer need to leave the State to realize their professional aspirations. The institution is therefore not only saving lives but also retaining talent, knowledge, and economic value within Manipur.
Prior to the unfortunate events of 3rd May 2023, Manipur was witnessing encouraging economic progress. The State’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) was projected at approximately Rs 45,145 crore, with an anticipated growth rate of 21.9 percent. Tourism, healthcare, education, trade, and services were emerging as important pillars of economic growth. Institutions such as Shija were playing a vital role in strengthening these sectors by retaining healthcare and educational expenditure within the State while simultaneously attracting patients and students from beyond its borders.
However, the unfortunate events that unfolded from 3rd May 2023 significantly altered the State’s socio-economic trajectory. The prolonged socio-political unrest and deterioration of the law-and-order situation disrupted normal economic activity, affected business confidence, constrained mobility, and impacted multi- ple sectors including tourism, healthcare, hospitality, transportation, and trade. Among the most visible consequences was the decline in tourism.
Official reports indicate that tourist arrivals, which had exceeded 1.79 lakh visitors annually, declined dramatically to nearly 17,000 visitors during 2024-25, representing a reduction of more than 90 percent. The impact was felt across hotels, transport services, restaurants, travel agencies, handicraft businesses, and countless small enterprises dependent on visitor spending.
Healthcare institutions were similarly affected. Reduced mobility, disruptions in transportation networks, economic uncertainty, and weakened referral systems contributed to declining patient footfall, particularly among patients travelling from distant districts, neigh-boring States, and inter- national destinations. Healthcare providers increasingly found their service reach confined to a limited geographical catchment area compared to the broader regional footprint they had previously served. At the same time, rising inflation increased the cost of medicines, medical con-sumables, equipment main- tenance, logistics, fuel, electricity, and skilled manpower.
Hospitals faced the difficult challenge of balancing financial sustainability while ensuring that health-care remained affordable and accessible to patients. Despite the economic pressures and operational difficulties of recent years, Shija remained steadfast in its commitment to serving society. The institution continued to provide unin- terrupted healthcare services, strengthen medical education, advance research, support organ trans- plantation programs, and invest in future-ready healthcare solutions.
Today, Shija is looking beyond conventional healthcare delivery towards a more sustainable future. Recognizing the responsibility of healthcare institutions in addressing environmental challenges, the hospital has embraced a vision of developing a Net Zero Healthcare Campus in the years ahead. This commitment to sustainable healthcare innovation recently earned international recognition when the institution received the Sustainable Hospital Design Award from Health Environment Leadership Platform (H.E.L.P) at an international conference held in Hyderabad on 20th June 2026. The award recognizes Shija’s efforts to integrate environmentally responsible infrastructure, energy-efficient systems, sustainable resource management, and green healthcare practices into its long-term development strategy. The significance of such initiatives extends beyond environmental ste- wardship. Sustainable healthcare reduces operational costs, improves resource efficiency, strengthens long-term resilience, and creates a model for responsible institutional growth. It demonstrates how healthcare institutions can simultaneously serve patients, protect the environment, and contribute to economic sustainability.
In many ways, Shija’s journey mirrors the spirit of Manipur itself, a story of perseverance, courage, innovation, and hope. Through periods of growth and through times of uncertainty, the institution has remained committed to its founding mission of serving humanity with compassion, excellence, and integrity. As Shija Hospitals & Research Institute enters its fifth decade of service, it does so with gratitude for the trust placed in it by generations of patients, students, healthcare professionals, and communities. More importantly, it looks ahead with renewed determination to continue healing lives, advancing education, generating opportunities, driving innovation, protecting the environment, and contributing to the progress of Manipur and the Nation.
Forty-one years after its founding, Shija stands not merely as a hospital, but as a symbol of resilience, self-reliance, and possibly a reminder that institutions built on vision, service, and purpose can illuminate the path forward even in the most challenging times. By healing lives, educating future generations, retaining economic value within the State, and attracting people from beyond its borders, Shija continues to strengthen the social and economic foundations of Manipur.
The writer is Asst Manager, Public Relations Department, Shija Hospitals & Research Institute and Member, Public Relations Society of India and Indian Communication Congress