TURA: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday inaugurated the District Early Intervention Centre at Tura.
The centre is the second such institution in the state after the one in Shillong built under RBSK scheme; and is a one-stop centre for treating the children born with congenital deformities and other children-related diseases and caters to all the regions of Garo Hills.
As far as the figure provided by the Nodal Officer of RBSK, Tura, is concerned, 8,640 children have been referred to the centre as of now, many of whom were treated successfully of their ailments.
Speaking during the programme, the chief minister stressed on the need to work in tandem and in close coordination and synchronise services among the different departments of the government for achieving better results.
Sangma informed that the state government headed by him was giving highest priority to the health sector ‘and with this thought and objective in mind, the government of Meghalaya is trying to find out ways and means how on the government can improve the overall health of the people.’
“The health sector occupies the highest echelon in the pyramid,” he added.
However, Sangma said that this does not mean other sectors are less important but that government must prioritise the social services and go according to the needs and insurgencies of the society at large.
The chief minister also said that it is not always the hefty allocation of budgets but the attitudes and the mindsets that determines the success of the programmes and policies.
Extending his points on this, he said the different government departments must shed away the culture of working in ‘silos’ and must develop the attitudes and habits of working in team and integrate schemes and projects for better results in service of the people.
Emphasising the need for evolving the scientific mechanism while formulating policies and services, Sangma informed the government would adopt data-driven policies to plug the wastage of precious and scarce resources. He also said the government would tie up with one popular private hospital based in the national capital to work in a field which would enable Meghalaya a ‘TB free’ state.
Among others who were present and spoke on the occasion, included Thomas North Tura MLA and Adviser to the Chief Minister A. Sangma and Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills District Ram Singh. A PowerPoint presentation on the progress of RBSK &DEIC was also conducted by Ivonne M. Sangma, Nodal Officer, RBSK, Tura.
It may be mentioned that the just-inaugurated District Early Intervention Centre, which is attached to District Maternity & Child Hospital, Tura, was actually completed a year ago and is functioning already.
Meanwhile, ‘the Green School with Smart Classroom under Project Star’ at New Tura Secondary School, Tura was also inaugurated on the same day by the Chief Minister.
Appreciating the efforts of the Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh and his team for initiating the renovation of the school building and introducing smart classroom for students under Project Star, Sangma congratulated and urged the former to continue his noble initiative in his future endeavours.
Recalling his late father PA Sangma’s words, he said, “If you want to see changes and progress in the state, then it can be done only through education, since when people are educated, they become responsible citizens in future.” Adding to this, he said most of the social problems in our society happens due to illiteracy.
Therefore, contemplating on all these problems, the government is focusing and giving priority to the education sector and have earmarked 1,400 crore for education and related matters in the state, the chief minister said.
Stating that the state has 60,000 teachers and 12,000 schools, he said it is almost difficult to attend all their needs at one go, but informed that the government is trying its best to provide necessary infrastructure and other related matters gradually in due course of time.
While addressing the gathering as Guest of Honour, Thomas A Sangma said that the first-of-its-kind and unique Smart Classroom is being provided for the students with a hope to help them learn better, improve their knowledge capacity and make them smart citizens in future.
Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, in his keynote address, informed that the renovation of the school and installation of smart classroom had been done by the District Administration in collaboration with IBDLP, SCSTE and NHIDCL under corporate social responsibility.
The Chief Guest, along with other dignitaries, also unveiled the plague for Smart Classroom and handed over the potable water filter to the students during the function.