By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 8: The division bench of the High Court of Meghalaya has asked the state government to seriously explore the possibility of setting up a medical college in Meghalaya to address the healthcare needs of the citizens of the state.
The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation on deficiencies in health services in Meghalaya.
As directed by the court in a previous hearing, the state government submitted an affidavit before the Court indicating the augmentation in the health services and pointing out that several issues still need to be addressed.
The Court said apart from the obvious, in the light of the present pandemic, details as to the availability of neonatal care at government hospitals and the percentage of beds with supply of oxygen need to be indicated.
There was also a submission for setting up of a medical college in and around Shillong.
The Division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh said that the state should seriously explore such possibility as the setting up of such institution will not only help the residents of the state but may be also be of immense value to the residents of the neighbouring states and may also have the ability to propel development in the region.
The matter will be heard again on February 3, 2022.