SHILLONG, Sep 16: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday told the House that the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) has decreased by 40% in the last few months while the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has dropped from 34 to 29%.
Replying to the short-duration discussion on the present condition of the health sector in the state, Sangma said the IMR has come down to the national average while cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) among children has improved from 20% to 1.75% as per the Poshan Survey conducted in March, 2022.
On the issue of stunting child, the CM said it was a matter of concern and added that long-term plans and efforts have to be put in to address it including ensuring Poshan programmes.
He said that the government has started the early childhood development programme wherein 4,000 children and 8,000 women will be covered. A comprehensive approach is being applied to it and efforts being made will lead to improvement in the stunting also.
Regarding the problem of cancer problem, he admitted that the matter was of grave concern and informed that meetings were held even at the central level to address the issue. In terms of treatment facilities he said the new cancer wing at the Shillong Civil Hospital is already in place and the services will be improved. The government will ensure that enough manpower and services are provided in the cancer wing.
On the issue of nurses and ANM recruitments, he said recruitments were taking place as per the norms but legal hurdles were causing delays.
The CM assured to address the concern raised by the member with regard to the Ialong Civil Hospital, and said he will ask the Health department to ensure that specialists and other requirements are provided to the CHCs and PHCs.
He also informed that a 100-bed Jowai Maternity and Child Hospital will be inaugurated soon.
Referring to the concern raised by the Nongpoh MLA, the CM said the University of Science and technology Meghalaya (USTM) will lay the foundation stone for a medical college on October 3 and the promoters have given a proposal to the state government under a public-private-partnership mode. A number of seats will be shared with the state if certain investments are made, the CM disclosed.
He also informed that the state government is in a process of revamping the medical supply procedure by making it online.
