Amid ‘infra gaps’, Shillong patients prefer Guwahati for advanced medical care

SHILLONG, Jan 29: While many patients from neighbouring Assam travel to the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) in Shillong for treatment, a significant number of Meghalaya’s residents prefer seeking medical care in Guwahati.
Guwahati offers a wider range of medical specialists and better healthcare infrastructure compared to Shillong, which has limited hospitals and doctors.
Guwahati is home to several private and government hospitals, including the renowned Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). In contrast, Shillong has only a handful of private hospitals and a few government-run facilities, prompting many patients to seek specialised care outside the state.
A patient from Shillong, who frequently travels to Guwahati for treatment, cited faster and more reliable diagnostic services as a key reason for doing so. Another patient pointed to the dearth of specialists in Shillong, stating that Guwahati provides access to a variety of medical professionals, making it a preferred destination for advanced treatment.
“The only drawback of seeking treatment in Guwahati is the high cost. Apart from expensive medical bills, we also have to bear additional expenses for travel and accommodation,” a patient from Shillong shared.
Currently, Shillong has approximately 8-9 private hospitals along with a few government medical facilities.
Despite Meghalaya being a state for 53 years, it still lacks its own medical college and teaching hospital, underscoring the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure.