By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 24: Newly inducted Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Wailadmiki Shylla, on Wednesday maintained that the previous regime had failed to adopt the right approach in addressing challenges faced by the health sector, which, he said, had a direct bearing on the situation today.
He admitted that there were challenges but stressed that nobody could deny the initiatives taken under the present NPP-led MDA government.
According to him, significant work had been done on infrastructure, with the creation of a recruitment board that had already facilitated the appointment of doctors and nurses, while paramedics would be brought in soon. He pointed out that improvements were visible on the ground, though gaps remained.
The Minister stated that a comparison of data on maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) between the past few years and the present would clearly reflect progress. However, he cautioned that cases of AIDS and cancer remained high.
He added that the government had already initiated measures in these areas and assured that with the support of the public and the department, further reductions in such numbers could be achieved. On his induction into the Cabinet, Shylla said he was grateful to the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister for entrusting him with the responsibility to serve the State. He noted that both the Health and Sports departments were crucial, adding that in the past few days he had already held a review meeting for sports while multiple reviews were underway in the health department. Given its vast scope, he said, several more meetings would follow in the coming days.
Reflecting on the allocation of responsibilities, the Minister admitted that he was initially surprised to be given the health portfolio, as he had expected sports. However, he said that he viewed the assignment as an opportunity and a challenge, adding that if he did not work with commitment at this stage of his life, there would be no other time. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who he described as a leader supportive of all colleagues, the State would perform well in the health sector and beyond.
