Shillong, August 28: Meghalaya TMC Parliamentary Party Leader Dr. Mukul Sangma has raised serious concerns about the escalating cost of healthcare in the state, which is leading to high out-of-pocket expenditure for citizens. Despite the existence of the Mega Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS), Dr. Sangma, a former Chief Minister, highlighted that many people are struggling with the high costs associated with medical treatment, particularly when they or their loved ones fall ill.
“Everything goes for a toss once people become victims of disease, especially with the ever-increasing cost of medical care. You can see it for yourself. Every day, I receive calls—many, in fact—about the problems people face in hospitals due to the rising cost of healthcare, which has become uncomfortable,” Dr. Sangma said.
He pointed out that despite various interventions, such as the MHIS, people are still “running from pillar to post” to manage the expenses required for healthcare. “In spite of all those various interventions, you still have people today who are struggling to fund the ever-increasing costs of healthcare facilities,” he added.
Dr. Sangma also drew parallels to the education sector, expressing concerns about the challenges families face in raising and educating their children. “Similarly, in education, our tribal communities often have sizable families, with mothers having four or five children. The burden of raising and educating these children to a level where they can thrive is immense,” he remarked.
Addressing broader issues, the TMC leader criticized the government for its lack of response to rising prices and the challenges people face in daily life. “There is an uninterrupted surge in the prices of various commodities and services, but the government seems unwilling to address these issues. There’s a complete absence of effort from both the Union and state governments,” he said, attributing part of the problem to the GST regime.
When asked about his priorities when appointed as the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Sangma emphasized that his focus would be on issues that impact the interests of the people and the state. “Our priority shall always revolve around issues that deal with the interests of the people and the state. The interests of the people must supersede everything else, as that is what democratic governance demands,” he asserted.