Our Bureau
SHILLONG/ MAWKYRWAT, Dec 8: The state government is keen to recognise the services of a group of “human ambulances” rendering yeoman services to the locals of 79 inaccessible villages during health emergencies.
Navigating kilometres of steep, rugged and narrow winding paths with a heavy load on their back is still a reality for people of these 79 villages in Meghalaya. The task becomes more challenging when there is a health emergency and a patient is to be taken to a hospital or health facility.
There is a group of Good Samaritans who carry patients up to a motorable road during such times. They have earned the moniker “human ambulances”. To recognise their services, the state government is planning to extend monetary assistance to them.
Talking about her recent visit to Mawkhyrwang village, located around 25 km away from Mawkyrwat in West Khasi Hills district, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said it took her two and a half hours walk down to reach the village and more than three hours to walk back.
“Even today, a pregnant woman or a sick person is required to be carried that far through a very difficult terrain by another person in a traditional basket on the back. I was surprised that we unfortunately still have this practice as health services cannot reach such a village,” Lyngdoh said.
She had gone to the place to inaugurate a health sub-centre. It took 14 years to complete the construction of the facility.
“These individuals, who carry the sick, do it to save life and do not take even one paise. I feel these important interventions in the effort to save life in the villages have to be recognised,” Lyngdoh added.
Disclosing that she already had a word with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Principal Health Secretary Sampath Kumar in this regard, she said, “All are in agreement. Whenever such human ambulances are in operation, we must assign a special monetary assistance to these individuals.”
She hoped the Mawkhyrwang health sub-centre will perform at the earliest. She said the government would like to partner with village heads and others to ensure that more such sub-centres come up in these areas so people have access to health services in nearby areas.
It may be noted that the health minister on Thursday inaugurated the much-awaited Mawkhyrwang sub health centre, construction for which had started 10 years ago.
The sub-centre, constructed at the cost of Rs 25 lakh, is equipped with a labour room, maternity ward, a dedicated newborn care room, OPD room and immunization room.
Lyngdoh admitted that the inability of the government to complete the construction work on time has affected the people of the area, especially pregnant women and children.
She lauded the contractor, Remdor Shylla for completing the project at a time when other contractors had surrendered.
Lyngdoh was confident that the sub-centre would significantly benefit women and children. She encouraged the HANS Foundation, which has been given the task of running the sub-centre, to deliver the best services and called upon the healthcare personnel, including mid-level health providers, auxiliary nurse and midwife and the staff nurse to work hard to provide the best healthcare to the locals.
Mawkyrwat MLA, Renikton L Tongkhar expressed regret over the decision of some landowners to oppose a road project in the area and underscored the crucial need for roads to improve connectivity in the region.
Others who spoke on the occasion include I. Lawryniang, BDO of Mawkyrwat C&RD Block, FR Lartang, District Medical and Health Officer of South West Khasi Hills and Amstrong Snaitang, Myntri Shnong of Mawkhyrwang village.