Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday launched the 10 Bed ICU project in 14 healthcare centres across the State, covering 11 districts.
The #10BedICU project is a private public partnership initiative between the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Meghalaya and eGovernment Foundation. The initiative includes 10 beds in ICU’s in district level Government Hospitals.
The programme was also attended by Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, Meghalaya has seen a drastic reduction in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in the state, even as he lauded all the stakeholders instrumental for the project by ensuring that healthcare facilities and services are made available at rural and inaccessible areas of the State including district hospitals.
“The infrastructure and system being set up would allow us to optimise all of our resources and make them work in the most efficient manner. It is the aspiration to expand this endeavour, so that the best possible support in terms of health care to some of the most remote and difficult areas of the State could be achieved,” the Chief Minister said.
Terming that the State Government has accorded top most priority for the health care sector, the Chief Minister said, “We would give top priority to our social sectors, and health would be one of the major focus areas. With this in mind the state now reserves 8% of its budget on healthcare of which it is the highest in the country.”
The project establishes an interconnected network between the 10-bed ICU Ward and the Tele-ICU Hub, enabling seamless communication and real-time data sharing for better patient outcomes. The 10-bed ICU has state-of-the-art medical facilities, advanced life support systems, and specialized equipment to provide comprehensive critical care services. The Tele-ICU Hub leverages technology to enable remote monitoring and consultation by intensivists and critical care specialists. This innovation ensures that even remote areas can access expert guidance in critical care management.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said that through the project the State government will be able to provide ICU care at district level. He said that the launch of 10BedICU project will go a long way in ensuring a transformative impact in bettering the health care facilities in the State.
The inaugural function was graced by Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, Principal Secretary Health Sampath Kumar, Chairman of Infosys Nandan Nilekani, Chairman 10BedICU Srikanth Nadhumuni, Founder Karuna Trust, Dr Sudarshan Hanumappa and Public Health Expert and Scientist Nichiket Mor.
The 10BedICU Project was conceived as a response to the second wave of COVID-19, aimed at making critical healthcare accessible across every district, including the most remote regions of the country.