NONGSTOIN, Feb 17: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has said that the COVID-19 pandemic opened the eyes of the state government to the deficiencies in Meghalaya’s healthcare sector.
The chief minister, after inaugurating the long-awaited General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) school in Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills, said that the state government, for the past two years, has been faced with great difficulties in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also informed it is during these two years, the state government realised the challenges in the healthcare sector in terms of manpower and infrastructure.
Informing about various government interventions in the healthcare sector of COVID-19-hit Meghalaya, Conrad said that Medical Skill Training Centre, which is the largest skill development centre in country, is in the offing.
The government is also making sure that sub-centres are able to provide additional services to the people of the state, he said.
It may be mentioned that the construction of the GNM school building in Nongstoin was started in November 2014 and completed in 2016. However, due to the COVID-19 situation, the inauguration of the school was deferred.
The inaugural function was also attended by Home Minister Lakhmen Rymbui, Nongstoin MLA Macmillan Byrsat, DHS (MI) Aman War, among other district and health officials.
Cheques distribution
Conrad, during his visit to West Khasi Hills, also distributed cheques among 77 producer groups under FOCUS programme.
Then chief minister also reiterated government’s commitment towards the welfare of farmers.
During the programme, Nongstoin MLA called upon the farmers to ensure that the funds received should be properly utilised for the well-being of the producer groups and the society as a whole.
Base-laying
Conrad also laid the foundation stone for the construction of Sibsingh Memorial Government Higher Secondary School, Nongstoin.
The school building construction has been sanctioned for Rs 4.47 crore.
“We have been saying this not in just a programme like this but since the day we have formed the government, and when we say that education is one of the most important factors for us, we do not just simply say it but our actions have also shown that we are giving top priorities to education,” said the chief minister during the programme.