SHILLONG, May 3: A survey has revealed that 93% of patients in Meghalaya received medicines at government-run health facilities.
This was informed by Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department Sampath Kumar on Friday.
The figures for Assam are 85%, Arunachal Pradesh 77%, Manipur 27%, Mizoram 48%, Nagaland 79%, Tripura 87% and Sikkim 56%.
The survey was carried out by the National Health Systems Resource Centre under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Kumar said the survey was conducted in 18 states to find out the availability of medicines among people who visited government health facilities.
“The setting up of the Meghalaya Drugs Corporation has brought about positive results. It ensured the availability of medicines among people who visit the government health centres,” he said while speaking at the 23rd scientific conference-cum-general body meeting of the Meghalaya Medical Services Association.
Kumar said the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Meghalaya has dropped by nearly 50%, which is the highest in the past three to four years.
“This is the sharpest decline in maternal deaths,” he said.
According to him, this was possible due to the efforts of doctors and all other stakeholders who are taking leadership roles in the remotest places.
“All these are happening because there is an intensive motivation. Everyone is working. We should continue with this good work as it will set a good example to the entire country and the world,” the senior health official said.
He said the challenge now will be to bring MMR and infant mortality rate further down. He said if Kerala can achieve this, then why Meghalaya cannot.
Kumar said there is collaborative governance in the Health department besides inter-sectoral collaboration and community participation.
He said the formation of the Meghalaya Medical Services Recruitment Board has allowed the government to recruit doctors annually.
NEIGRIHMS Medical Superintendent Dr C Daniala also spoke on the occasion.