Affidavit to be filed in HC
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Friday said the State government will articulate all measures taken to improve the health facilities in the State in the affidavit which will be filed by the State government before the High Court of Meghalaya.
The chief minister was reacting to the notice issued by the High Court to Health authorities, both at the Centre and the State, over the ‘pathetic’ healthcare facilities provided by hospitals in the State including the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences.
Speaking to media persons after a State cabinet meeting here, the chief minister said he has reviewed both the health scenario and the recent High Court order. “Health sector is one of the topmost priority sectors and the government is giving maximum thrust in this sector,” he said, adding that the State government was doing all it can despite manpower constraints and other challenges. According to Sangma, in order to serve the people, the government came out with the Megha Health Insurance Scheme and so far an amount of Rs 15 crore has been reimbursed. He also pointed out that the government is keen to complete the construction of Reid Chest Hospital at Umsawli which will pave way for the construction of Shillong Medical College and Hospital at Jhalupara. He added that the government wants to minimise flow of patients to Shillong and district headquarters by providing better health care facilities at the village level.