Meghalaya has achieved 85% Aadhaar coverage, but only 73% of these are linked to the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS), a crucial initiative designed to provide seamless healthcare benefits. Chief Secretary D P Wahlang emphasized the scheme’s uniqueness, particularly its inclusion of outpatient department (OPD) services, which are typically excluded from most state insurance plans. Offering up to ₹30,000 annually for OPD expenses and covering critical procedures such as open-heart surgeries, MHIS significantly reduces out-of-pocket healthcare costs for families.
“One of the highest expenditures for any family, whether BPL or APL, is healthcare. Meghalaya has a very unique universal health insurance scheme called MHIS—it is universal coverage and insurance plus. Unlike other states where insurance does not cover OPD, Meghalaya’s MHIS does. Those seeking treatment at empanelled hospitals will be covered by the government,” Wahlang said.
He urged citizens to register for the scheme using their Aadhaar cards, as MHIS operates in convergence with central government initiatives. “The government is covering up to ₹30,000 per annum for OPD. You just need to avail the facility by registering for MHIS and linking it with your Aadhaar. Many people are not aware that even complicated procedures like open-heart surgery are covered under MHIS. We need to ensure the scheme moves ahead and becomes more robust.”
The state government is intensifying efforts to increase Aadhaar seeding with MHIS to streamline healthcare access and enhance affordability. “We have 85% Aadhaar coverage, but only 73% have been seeded for MHIS. We need to increase this so that when you go to the hospital, you can claim your insurance seamlessly and cashlessly—everything is computerized,” Wahlang added.
He also highlighted Shillong’s historical prominence as a medical hub in the early 20th century, stating that the state is now witnessing a revival in healthcare infrastructure. The Shillong Medical College, set to begin operations this year, and the upcoming Tura Medical College mark significant progress in the sector. With the expansion of both public and private medical facilities, Meghalaya is poised to emerge as a regional healthcare destination, ensuring improved medical accessibility and better patient outcomes.