SHILLONG: The first batch of Health & Wellness Center for East Khasi Hills District were inaugurated by MLA SK Sunn at Pomlum and Mawphlang while the centre at Jongksha was inaugurated by Sports & Youth Affairs minister Banteidor Lyngdoh.
With the inauguration of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in the State, a new chapter in the health sector has begun, said Sun while addressing the crowd. He however said there will be few challenges in implementing the programme like shortage of trained man power, difficulty in accessing remote rural population, the need to have a robust medical infrastructure and also stressed the need to have a proper co-ordination between government, institution, hospitals and citizen.
He said despite the anticipated challenges and constraints, the State Health Department had put in all efforts to make sure the mission will be a game changer for the district, the state and the nation as a whole by 2022.
P. Bakshi, IAS, Secretary Health & Family Welfare cum Mission Director, NHM; Dr. J. Lyngwa, Jt. DHS (MCH&FW) cum Nodal Officer, HWC; District Health & Medical Officer, East Khasi Hills, Shillong were also present at the function.
Meanwhile, adressing the gathering at Jongksha PHC, Lyngdoh stressed on the importance of maintaining health and hygiene and said material riches are of no value if one is unhealthy.
The minister also asked all stake holders including civil society and the public to co-operate with the government by actively participating in its various schemes, programmes and activities.
L T Tariang, BDO, Mawkynrew CR&D Block, T.S Nongkhlaw, Director of Health Services cum Joint Mission Director, NHM, Dr. P.Kharpran, Medical and Health Officer, Jongksha PHC, O Kharsohnoh, headman, Jongksha Village, various officials of the Health Department, ASHAs, elders and residents of the area were also present at the function. Ayushman Bharat Yojana which was launched by the PM Narendra Modi aims to transform Sub-centres and PHCs into Health and Wellness Centres in the country for implementing public health programmes, better comprehensive primary health care service delivery including diseases prevention and health promotion.