Shillong, January 12: Meghalaya Health Minister Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh assured that the Tura Medical College project would see no more than a 12-month delay in its commencement, reaffirming the government’s commitment to addressing healthcare gaps in the state. She also announced plans to introduce postgraduate (PG) courses in medical colleges by 2027, marking a significant step forward in Meghalaya’s medical education landscape.
Speaking to the media, the health Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing medical education and healthcare infrastructure in the state.
“We are going to ensure that there should not be more than a 12-month delay of the start of the Tura Medical College,” she stated.
“We have sent proposals to the Government of India, pending which we will have to wait for the necessary approvals because the Tura Medical College was funded primarily by the Government of India. Not that the Shillong Medical College isn’t, but the cost of the Shillong Medical College is much lower than the investment required for the Tura Medical College,” the Minister said.
Dr. Lyngdoh expressed optimism about the timeline, stating, “We are on track with the Shillong Medical College. The retreat has given us better insight as ministers, and we are now more aware of the challenges, particularly with the immediate rollout of the Tura Medical College.”
Highlighting future plans, she added, “We’ve also been encouraged by the Government of India to start PG courses in the medical colleges by 2027. This is a win-win situation for us. By 2025, the big gap we have in the shortage of doctors should be a thing of the past.”
The Health Minister also addressed the pressing need to upgrade healthcare facilities across the state. “We understand there is a big demand for upgradation of sub-centers to PHCs and CHCs, but we’ve taken an important decision to conduct a thorough audit of all facilities,” she said. “The Chief Minister has emphasized the need to ensure that PHCs, sub-centers, and CHCs function well, rather than focusing solely on upgrades. It’s a misconception to think that upgrading a PHC to a CHC automatically means more doctors or staff. This is something we’re addressing with the audit.”
Dr. Lyngdoh stressed the need to depoliticize healthcare upgrades. “We want to ensure that the public understands the purpose and functionality of their healthcare centers. This auditing will be completed quickly, and the process will be transparent. These measures will help prevent unnecessary politicizing of health requirements,” she remarked.
She concluded by emphasizing the importance of collaborative decision-making in the cabinet. “These things don’t happen if you don’t meet. Sitting together as a cabinet has allowed us to make these decisions, which will ultimately benefit the people of Meghalaya.”
The Minister expressed confidence that the combined efforts of the state government and support from the central government would transform healthcare in Meghalaya.