By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 23: Meghalaya is grappling with a severe shortage of specialist doctors, with nearly 70 per cent of sanctioned posts lying vacant, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Shylla clarified that while there is no major shortage of general medical officers, the state continues to face a critical gap in specialist services.
“Out of 100 per cent requirement, we currently have only about 30 per cent of specialist doctors. This means nearly 70 per cent of posts in the specialist category are vacant,” he said.
The Minister attributed the shortage to multiple factors, noting that many specialists are hesitant to join the government health sector, particularly due to rural postings.
“There is not one specific reason. However, many doctors are reluctant to serve in rural areas, which makes it difficult for us to fill these positions,” he added.
To address the issue, the government has been sending doctors for short-term training programmes to partially bridge the gap, Shylla said, adding that despite several recruitment drives, the state has been unable to fill all vacancies.
“Doctors are available, but they are not joining government service. Many prefer other opportunities after completing their studies,” the Minister noted.
He pointed out that the state has traditionally depended on doctors from the central pool, with around 60 to 70 students pursuing MBBS annually through this route. However, many of them opt to pay the bond amount after completing their studies which allows them to work elsewhere.
In a long-term strategy to tackle the shortage, Shylla said the state government is focusing on expanding medical education infrastructure.
He said the establishment of institutions such as Shillong Medical College, PA Sangma International Medical College & Hospital in partnership with the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, and the proposed Tura Medical College is expected to significantly boost the number of locally trained doctors.
“If everything goes as planned, we expect to produce around 250 doctors annually from within the state,” he said.
He expressed optimism that these initiatives would gradually help address the shortage of doctors and strengthen healthcare services across the state.
Inauguration of Shillong Medical College
The formal inauguration of the Shillong Medical College is yet to be finalised as the state government is awaiting the availability of either Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda to officiate the event.
Shylla said the government intends to organise the inauguration on a grand scale, considering the long-standing aspiration of the people of Meghalaya.
“All of us are eagerly looking forward to the formal inauguration of the Shillong Medical College. It has been a long-cherished dream of the people of the state, and we want to make it a significant occasion so that people realise the importance of this project,” he said.
The Minister disclosed that the state government has already held multiple rounds of discussions with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union Health Ministry regarding suitable dates.
“We have discussed this a couple of times and were even given dates earlier, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the programme had to be postponed. Discussions are ongoing as we want either the Prime Minister or the Union Health Minister to inaugurate it,” Shylla said.
He added that the government is keen to hold the inauguration at the earliest and is in constant touch with the authorities concerned for finalisation.
“We do not want to delay this further, especially with the first MBBS academic session already under way. We want to complete the formal inauguration as soon as possible,” he said.
