100-bed Mawkyrwat hospital sees the light of day after 10-year wait

MAWKYRWAT, Dec 22: The much-awaited 100-bed hospital in Mawkyrwat, the foundation stone for which was laid back in 2012 by the then Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, was on Thursday inaugurated by cabinet minister and Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton L Tongkhar.
Addressing the gathering during the inaugural programme, an elated Tongkhar said that people from South West Khasi Hills will not have to undertake an arduous journey to Shillong Civil Hospital to avail medical facilities since the newly inaugurated hospital in Mawkyrwat will be able to render all required health services.
Admitting that the inauguration of the hospital has been a long-pending dream of the people of the district in general and Mawkyrwat in particular, Tongkhar informed that the hospital has been constructed for almost Rs 22.41 crore.
Informing that the inauguration of the hospital was deferred as 101 posts were yet to be sanctioned, the minister expressed his gratitude to the Health department for the temporary appointment of staff to the aforesaid number of posts so as to make the hospital function immediately.
Acknowledging the then Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh for setting the ball rolling for the work on the hospital, Tongkhar informed that there are many things that the hospital still lacks, and urged the people of the district to cooperate with the government for the redressal of the issues.
Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein, on the other hand, said the hospital will be a boon for the people of the district, especially the ones from remote areas.
He also lauded the state government for taking the healthcare sector seriously by improving the services through various interventions.
Others who attended the inaugural programme Principal Secretary of Health department Sampath Kumar, South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner C. Kharkongngor, president of Synjuk Rangbah Shnong Hima Maharam P Wanniang, among others.