By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 5: Union Health Minister JP Nadda said on Friday that telemedicine is a key tool for delivering specialist care to Meghalaya’s remote and underserved areas as the state continues to face a shortage of specialist doctors.
Replying to questions about the persistent shortage of specialists in Meghalaya and other northeastern states, Nadda said the Centre is aware of the challenge and is addressing it through measures under the National Health Mission. He said telemedicine has emerged as an effective model for linking patients in far-flung locations with specialist doctors based at major healthcare hubs.
“Specialists cannot always be physically stationed in remote areas because of manpower constraints,” Nadda said, adding that technology-driven consultations allow patients to receive expert medical advice without traveling long distances.
State Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla acknowledged the acute shortage of specialists in Meghalaya and said the state is pursuing both immediate and long-term steps to address the problem. Recruitment drives for specialists will continue, he said, though their success depends on the availability of qualified applicants.
Shylla added that the state is investing in upskilling existing doctors by sponsoring short-term training programmes in critical disciplines such as anaesthesiology and obstetrics and gynaecology. He noted that many doctors recruited under the state quota are currently pursuing postgraduate studies outside Meghalaya, and their return will strengthen the state’s healthcare capacity.
On the possibility of developing a traditional medicine infrastructure in Meghalaya along the lines of Kerala’s Ayurveda sector, Nadda said the Centre is open to examining proposals. He noted that traditional systems of medicine have received increased support under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pointed to investments in AYUSH institutions nationwide.
“If Meghalaya submits a formal proposal to expand traditional medicine facilities, the Centre will give it due consideration,” Nadda said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to promoting indigenous healthcare systems while strengthening overall health infrastructure.
