SHILLONG, July 25: As many as 96 students who completed their MBBS courses under the State Quota have not returned to serve in Meghalaya, as mandated by their bond agreement with the government.
The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Friday apprised Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh of the matter and demanded strict action against these students.
Citing an RTI response from the Directorate of Health Services (MI), Meghalaya, the HYC said that between the academic years 2015-2016 and 2019-2020, around 359 students were sponsored by the State Government to pursue MBBS degrees across various institutions in the country. These students had signed a Bond-cum-Agreement with the Government, binding them to serve in rural areas of Meghalaya for a minimum of five years upon completion of their course.
However, it was revealed that around 96 students who completed their MBBS under the State Quota during that period have failed to report back to the Government to fulfill the bond conditions. “We urge you to take strict and appropriate action against these defaulters, as well as against current students, by making them pay the full course fees along with interest to the State Government for not fulfilling the terms of the agreement,” HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem said.
The HYC also demanded that the bond amount be raised to Rs 1 crore starting from the academic session 2026–2027 for students availing of the MBBS course under the State Quota, with a mandatory five-year rural service clause.
The organisation further highlighted the acute shortage of healthcare staff across the Khasi-Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi region. Several posts for medical officers, specialists, paramedical staff, and nursing and ministerial staff remain vacant in various Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Sub-Centres.
According to available data, approximately 8 medical officer posts, 7 specialist posts, 10 paramedical posts, and around 100 nursing and ministerial staff posts that are already sanctioned remain unfilled.
The HYC noted that, according to government norms, each CHC should be staffed with 4 medical officers and 6 specialists, while each PHC should have 2 medical officers along with pharmacists and lab technicians. However, these norms are not being met, and most CHCs and PHCs are currently operating with fewer doctors and specialists than required.
The organisation also urged the government to establish Dialysis Units in government hospitals and CHCs across the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.
“It is alarming to learn that between March 2018 and August 2024, around 3,038 patients suffering from kidney diseases had to undergo dialysis either at NEIGRIHMS or the Civil Hospital, Shillong. The cost of each dialysis cycle ranges between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 for consumables alone, excluding transportation and other costs. Each patient typically requires one or two dialysis cycles per week, depending on the severity of their condition. Treatment costs are even higher in private hospitals compared to NEIGRIHMS and government hospitals,” the HYC added.