From Our Correspondent
TURA, Nov 6: The first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Garo Hills region is coming up at Tura Maternity and Child Hospital (MCH) as part of the facility’s upgrade that includes the addition of a new wing with 50-bed strength as well as strengthening of the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU).
This facility will be inaugurated before Christmas, as per the priority set by the Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma. All these efforts are aimed to improve maternal and infant health indicators through development of capacity at the Tura MCH.
Earlier, a review of the Tura MCH was held on Wednesday, led by the Principal Secretary, Health department, Dr Sampath Kumar, along with Dr Joram Beda, Commissioner and Secretary, Health department; Dr Balas Momin, DHS-MI, Richa Kulkarni, SDO-Tura, and Dr Bollen S Sangma, Medical Superintendent, MCH Tura.
A consultative meeting was also held with private hospitals of the Garo Hills region, chaired by Sampath Kumar.
Various senior administrators and specialists, including Dr Paul P Francis (pediatrician), Dr Suzie (gynecologist), Jengjal CHC, Dr Dilla K Sangma (gynecologist), Tura Christian Hospital, Sr. Claire (gynecologist) and Dr Michael (pediatrician), Holy Cross Hospital, agreed on the importance of unified efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths through public-private collaboration.
Support for the treatment of poor patients at the private hospitals under the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme (CMSMS) is also slated to be formalised to ensure that maternal cases referred from government health facilities receive cashless and timely care.
Severe anemia was flagged as a persistent, high-impact risk, and will be a priority focus. Hospitals will intensify early screening during ANC, ensure a steady supply of Iron Sucrose (with Ferrous Ascorbate as an option) and run targeted outreach in vulnerable communities.
To raise maternal health service standards in Tura MCH and to assist the Medical Superintendent, the state has deputed a maternal and child health specialist through the World Bank supported Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Project (MHSSP) for the last 4 months to provide expert inputs and independent quality reviews.
It may be mentioned that the state has introduced Outcome-Based Budgeting (OBB) to decentralize health budgets to directorates, districts, and individual health facilities, to enhance autonomy and link resources to results and accountability at every level.
