SHILLONG, April 21: United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and chairman of Meghalaya State Health Advisory Board (MSHAB), Mayralborn Syiem on Friday expressed concern over the shortage of specialists, doctors, staff nurses and medicines in the state.
He said the government constituted the MSHAB as there has been a shortage of specialist medical officers, staff nurses and medicines for a long time.
He said some specialists were appointed and posted in different districts recently but the sector remains a concern given the rising population.
“We need more manpower and therefore, more sanctions have to be made in the CHCs and the PHCs in the far-flung areas,” Syiem said.
He said complaints were received against truant doctors and staff of CHCs and PHCs and some others unwilling to serve in remote areas. He sought their cooperation to ensure that health care services reach the last mile.
Syiem pitched for medical colleges, be it Centre-owned, state-owned or on a public-private partnership mode. He admitted to the delay in the setting up of the Shillong and Tura medical colleges and said having a medical college is a necessity.
Expressing optimism that the two medical colleges will soon see the light of the day, he said students and others in the health sector should pursue further studies as the state government needs resource persons, faculties and staff who are from the state.
He stressed that Ri-Bhoi, which is an Aspirational District, needs a medical college.
“I hope the MDA 2.0 government will take on board all legislators to explore the possibility of having a central government medical college in Ri-Bhoi,” he added.
Syiem, who is also a member of the Ri-Bhoi Regional Committee on Interstate Boundary, advocated the need to move ahead with the resolution process with a positive mindset considering the interests of the indigenous people.
He said there will be merits and demerits in any issue as in the case of the first phase of the border resolution process. There will always be discontentment as one cannot satisfy a hundred per cent, he added.
Syiem said despite the discontentment, the state government tried to solve the pending issue. He said the second phase of the border resolution will begin soon and the government expects to get the support of people and stakeholders.
He, however, stressed that the baseline of the border talks should be as per para 20a of the Sixth Schedule and on the parameters of historical facts, willingness of people, geographic contiguity and others.
