By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 27: Opposition members in the Assembly on Friday expressed serious concern over inadequate dialysis infrastructure, shortage of specialist doctors and increasing waiting time for treatment for the growing number of kidney patients across the state.
Raising the issue during the Question Hour on the final day of the Budget Session, VPP MLA from Mawrynkneng, Heaving Stone Kharpran, highlighted the rising burden of kidney-related ailments and questioned the government on the functional status of dialysis machines, availability of trained manpower and steps being taken to reduce waiting time for patients requiring regular dialysis.
Pointing out the absence of specialist doctors in Community Health Centres (CHCs), he said that many rural areas lack essential healthcare services as prescribed under Indian Public Health Standards.
Kharpran urged the government to address the shortage of nephrologists and other specialists to improve treatment accessibility.
On the other hand, VPP MLA from Nongkrem, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, expressed concern that patients from economically weaker sections are often compelled to seek treatment in private hospitals due to limited facilities in government institutions.
Arguing that delays in dialysis scheduling could prove to be life-threatening, he stressed the need to strengthen government infrastructure and recruit specialists.
Similarly, TMC MLA from Ampati, Miani D Shira, sought details on the availability of dialysis machines in civil hospitals across other districts, while TMC MLA from Nongthymmai Charles Pyngrope asked for data on dialysis units at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), noting that a large number of patients from Shillong and adjoining areas depend on the institute.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma also stressed the need to prioritise dialysis facilities in all districts, particularly in the Garo Hills region.
He cited the rising trend of lifestyle and renal diseases, and the hardship faced by patients who are often referred outside the state for treatment.
Govt taking steps to increase dialysis machines: Shylla
Responding to the concerns, Health Minister Waidladmiki Shylla informed the House that a total of 54 dialysis machines are currently available in East Khasi Hills district across government and private hospitals.
He said 12 dialysis machines are installed at Civil Hospital in Shillong, of which 10 are functional and two are non-functional, while all 42 dialysis machines in private hospitals in the district are functional.
The Minister stated that the department is taking steps to increase the number of dialysis machines and trained technicians as patient load continues to rise. He also informed that dialysis services are covered under the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS), which helps reduce treatment costs for patients. According to him, over Rs 11 crore has been covered under MHIS for dialysis treatment during the 2025–26 period.
On specialist availability, Shylla informed that there is currently no Nephrologist in government hospitals and only one Nephrologist in the state, attributing the situation to the low number of specialists applying for recruitment. He said the department has already initiated recruitment efforts, but response has been limited.
He further informed that dialysis machines are presently available only in district hospitals and not in CHCs, but the government is planning to expand dialysis facilities to all district hospitals and gradually to CHC level, considering the increasing number of patients.
