By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 15: The Mawkynrew Dorbar Shnong and FKJGP Mawkynrew Circle on Wednesday have agreed to remove the lock and reopen the Primary Health Centre from Thursday, allowing the health centre to resume providing services to patients in the area.
The decision was taken following a meeting called by East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Rosetta M Kurbah, after both groups expressed dissatisfaction with an earlier discussion held on Tuesday with the health official deputed by the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) office, as the authorities had failed to give any commitment to deploy two doctors to the PHC.
Unhappy with the outcome of the meeting, both the Dorbar Shnong and FKJGP decided to continue keeping the PHC under lock and key.
It may be mentioned that the PHC has been under lock and key since September 29 due to the absence of doctors for over two months.
Mawkynrew Dorbar and FKJGP Mawkynrew Circle were also accompanied by members of the FKJGP Central Executive Committee, including Senior Vice President Elton Warjri and others during the meeting with the Deputy Commissioner.
Speaking to the media, Warjri said that the DC had assured them that she would follow up on the appointment of doctors at the PHC.
He informed that the Health department promised to deploy one doctor by October 16, 2025, and another shortly thereafter.
It may be recalled that following Tuesday’s meeting, villagers reiterated their stand, giving the Health Department a one-week deadline to fulfil their demand.
“We have made it clear that two doctors are essential for the PHC to function effectively. It is too burdensome for a single doctor to handle all cases,” said one of the villagers, adding that the people’s patience is running out.
He appealed to the government to immediately post two doctors at the centre to meet the healthcare needs and expectations of the community.
A member of the Seng Longkmie (women’s organisation) of the village expressed deep concern over the government’s inaction, noting that the shortage of medical staff has put patients—especially pregnant women—at risk.
“We have faced many difficult situations when no doctor was available, especially at night. Labour pain can occur anytime, and without a doctor, the staff can only refer patients to Shillong, which is far away,” she said.
She urged the government and the local MLA to address the issue of manpower shortage at the earliest.
