Williamnagar, Sep 22: The Achik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM), through their local MLA and minister, Marcuise Marak, has written to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma over various interventions they felt were needed for the town of Williamnagar in East Garo Hills.
In their memo, the group pointed to the urgent needs of the Williamnagar Civil Hospital (a critical infrastructure in the district).
“The hospital is severely lacking basic water supply, which compromises hygiene and sanitation standards, putting patients at risk. The shortage of rooms for patients exacerbates the challenges faced within the hospital especially in the wake of a rising population in the district. Specialized medical services are also lacking; the absence of an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist, an Optometrist (Oltology specialist), an eye specialist, and a child Specialist has forced patients to seek treatment elsewhere, often at great expense and risk,” said general secretary, Aimarong Marak.
They added that staff accommodation as well as the lack of surgical expertise and the incomplete laboratory are a concern that needs to be immediately addressed.
The group further demanded the set up of a maternity and child hospital in Williamnagar as currently, pregnant women and children have limited access to specialised healthcare facilities.
“The nearest tertiary care hospitals are located miles away, resulting in delays in critical care. Such delays pose serious threats to the lives of mothers and newborns, given the high maternal and infant mortality rates documented in the region,” added AHAM, Eastern Zone.
AHAM also asked for the construction of a road under PMGSY connecting the villages of Samgong Bolsal Akilrang to Bolmoram to improve the living standards of the people.
“Presently, villagers rely on rough pathways that become nearly impassable during the monsoon season,” they added.
The group also proposed the development of more infrastructure in the GNM Nursing School in the Denggagre locality of Williamnagar stating what is available currently is inadequate.
“We propose the immediate construction of staff quarters to attract and retain experienced educators who can provide quality training. Furthermore, there is a need to construct a separate boys’ hostel to ensure that the boy students also can enrol themselves and have training in this institution but due to having no boys hostel the male students are far from having these facilities,” they added.
Lastly they sought the introduction and diversification of academic streams and subjects at Williamnagar Government College.
