SHILLONG, March 16: The construction work of the Shillong Medical College and Hospital at Umsawli in New Shillong, which was conceptualised 8-9 years ago, is likely to see further delay as the site is being currently used for a corona care centre.
Replying to a call-attention motion moved by Mawsynram MLA HM Shangpliang, Health Minister AL Hek said that it was decided between the state government and the KPC Group few years ago that the location of the proposed hospital be changed from Jhalupara to Umsawli.
The health minister, however, said that the government has not been able to hand over the land at Umsawli to the KPC Group for construction because it is being currently used for a corona care centre.
With regard to the Tura Medical College, Hek said that 30-35 per cent of the construction work has been completed.
On the issues faced by the EMRI Workers’ Union, the minister said that the GVK EMRI is not directly under the control of the government.
“However, we will examine the problems faced by the employees,” AL Hek said.
Earlier, the health minister said that people, particularly the rural populace, will benefit out of the Meghalaya Health System Strengthening (MHSS) project under which community health centres (CHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs) will be bolstered at a cost of Rs 352 crore, funded by the World Bank.
He added that the government, in the first phase, would invest Rs 75 crore to strengthen sub-centres, PHCs, CHCs and hospitals.
Earlier, Mawsynram MLA Shangpliang pointed out that the PHCs across the state are faced with the challenges of manpower, while urging the state government to expedite the construction work of the two medical colleges.
Asking the government to open more nursing schools in the state, Shangpliang, moreover, said that the EMRI workers want the 108 services to be run by the state government.