By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 17: Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla on Sunday expressed concern over the state’s failure to achieve full registration under the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) despite the expanded benefits now available through its convergence with the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Speaking on the sidelines of a programme here, Shylla said it was disappointing that many eligible residents in the state have still not enrolled themselves despite the government providing health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh annually for hospitalisation and treatment.
He said awareness remains one of the biggest challenges and stressed the need for greater public participation in government health initiatives.
Recalling his childhood, the minister said even small financial help from visitors during illness used to feel valuable, but today many people are still not coming forward to avail themselves of insurance benefits worth lakhs of rupees.
Shylla also said health awareness campaigns should involve the wider public and not remain confined to specific groups
Referring to a recent International Nurses Day event he attended, he said he was disappointed to find that only nurses participated in the celebration, making it appear more like an internal meeting rather than a public awareness programme.
He urged district authorities and organisations to ensure that such occasions become platforms for spreading awareness among the general public.
The minister reiterated that health issues require collective responsibility and cannot be addressed by the government or healthcare workers alone.
