SHILLONG, Nov 7: The long-awaited upgrade and operationalisation of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Hospital in Nongstoin is set to be completed before Christmas, fulfilling the assurance made by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma during the CM-Connect programme held earlier in Nongstoin.
To ensure that the project stays on schedule, a review visit was conducted on Thursday by Principal Secretary of Health department, Sampath Kumar, who was accompanied by senior officials from the Directorate of Health Services (MCH & FW), the district administration and the Health department.
The inspection team included Dr. N. Kharsohnoh, Director of Health Services (MCH & FW); Dr. E. War, Joint Director of Health Services (MI); Dr. MK Sohliya, District Medical & Health Officer, West Khasi Hills; V. Swer, Additional Deputy Commissioner; R. Kharkongor, BDO, Mawshynrut Block; E. Pala, SDO (HEW); and medical specialists Dr. T. Syiem and Dr. R. Marwein, among others.
During the visit, the principal secretary reviewed the progress of renovation and modification works.
It was noted that major sections—including the OPD and Laboratory Complex, Emergency Unit, Labour Room, ICU, NICU, and OT Complex—are nearing completion, with only minor finishing works remaining.
A review meeting was also convened to finalise arrangements related to staffing, delivery of medical equipment, supplies and other essential infrastructure for the hospital’s full-scale operation.
Kumar emphasised that the facility must be fully utilised to address the district’s pressing maternal and infant health concerns, ensuring that adherence to standards does not delay the delivery of timely medical services.
He also suggested the establishment of a District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) at the MCH Hospital to further enhance child health services in the district.
In line with the state’s priority to reduce maternal and child mortality, the Health department has been conducting field reviews across Meghalaya. As part of this initiative, a team led by the Principal Secretary also visited Umwali under Mawshynrut Block on November 6.
The field review involved coordination between officials from the Health, Social Welfare and Community & Rural Development (NRLM-MSRLS) departments, along with local organisations such as Village Organisations (VOs) and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs).
The visit led to several on-ground interventions, including Aadhaar enrolment drives to ensure access to entitlements, linking out-of-school adolescent girls to self-help group-led livelihood programmes, providing childcare support for working mothers through transit homes and strengthening family and community health awareness.
The initiative concluded with a community pledge—‘No Mother Should Die’.
