From Our Correspondent
AMLAREM, Nov 28: Cabinet minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Friday inaugurated the Pdengkarong Sub-Centre while urging the locals to make full use of the facility’s healthcare services.
The inauguration took place at Pdengkarong village in West Jaintia Hills district, marking a significant boost to healthcare access in the War Jaintia region.
The sub-centre, which falls under the Health department, was funded under PM-ABHIM (NHM) for 2021-2022 at a cost of Rs 55.50 lakh, with land voluntarily donated by the village. It has been established to serve the communities of Pdengkarong, Amsyrwai, Amralang and nearby villages.
Delivering the keynote address, Rymbui said the Pdengkarong Sub-Centre stands as a strong example of community participation.
Informing that the government chose not to engage private contractors and instead entrusted the construction to the Village Health & Sanitation Committee, Rymbui expressed satisfaction that the project was completed efficiently despite the modest budget, with a portion of the sanctioned amount left as surplus.
The minister also clarified that the presence of the sub-centre does not signify illness, but ensures timely medical support during emergencies and health crises.
He then encouraged residents to make full use of the available services at the sub-centre such as consultations, diagnostic tests and medicines, while warning against self-medication, which has contributed to lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes and kidney ailments in the region.
With proper cooperation between the public and healthcare workers—including nurses, ASHAs and support staff—he said residents would no longer need to travel long distances to facilities such as Jarain, Nongtalang or Pdengshakap for routine treatment, thereby sparing time, cost and hardship, especially for pregnant women, children and the elderly.
Highlighting broader healthcare improvements, Rymbui said Meghalaya has made significant progress in reducing infant and maternal mortality rates since 2018 under the MDA government.
He referred to initiatives such as the MOTHER programme, transport financial assistance for patients and the Universal Health Insurance Scheme aimed at ensuring affordable healthcare for all.
Noting that the Amlarem Constituency currently has 11 sub-centres in addition to PHCs, CHCs, dispensaries and a sub-divisional hospital, Rymbui stressed the need for additional sub-centres in Amlarem Shyiap Amlanai, Jong-U-Chen and Hawai-Bhoi to further improve access in remote areas.
Touching upon development initiatives, the minister said villages like Pdengkarong have benefited since 2018 from improvements in roads, drinking water supply, sanitation, schools and mobile connectivity through a BSNL tower.
He informed that the state government plans to upgrade road connectivity across Amlarem-Nongtalang, Pdengshakap, Amkhlew, Pdengkseh, Pdengkarong and the stretch from Darang to Shnongpdeng up to Amkoi. He, however, noted that progress has been hampered by challenges in acquiring land from certain landowners, despite the state government’s readiness to allocate Rs 20-30 crore for compensation.
He then appealed to residents and landowners to cooperate for the greater public good and long-term development of the region.
The programme was chaired by District Medical & Health Officer, West Jaintia Hills, Dr P. Shylla, and attended by government officials, MDCs, et al.
