By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 19: Additional Chief Secretary Sampath Kumar on Tuesday said Meghalaya is aggressively strengthening its maternal and child healthcare systems to address the state’s high fertility rate and the rising demand for neonatal services.
Speaking at a programme at Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital, Kumar noted that Meghalaya records between 80,000 and 90,000 births annually. Despite having a population size similar to Manipur, Meghalaya records nearly double the number of births, a factor that underscores the need for robust healthcare infrastructure.
“Children are a blessing, and while we celebrate this, we must also prepare by strengthening our healthcare systems,” Kumar said.
To address the need for specialised care, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has approved the establishment of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in every district. Kumar informed that three units are currently being set up, while an operational NICU at Mairang has already helped save nearly 70 children.
Beyond infrastructure, Kumar highlighted the government’s focus on a comprehensive early childhood strategy. He noted that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life—from conception to age two—are critical, as 80 per cent of brain development occurs during this window.
The state has adopted a “Zero-Zero-Three” goal under its development strategy: zero maternal deaths, zero infant deaths, and ensuring every child meets World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards by the end of their first 1,000 days.
