By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 25: Even as the Voice of the People Party (VPP) faces mounting public criticism for its apparent silence over the absence of a doctor at the Mawiong Community Health Centre (CHC) during the medical emergency that led to the death of its own leader and former Shillong MP, Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon, party chief Ardent Basaiawmoit on Wednesday said that healthcare in Meghalaya is in a poor state.
“You have seen in the inquiry report of the government, you have heard the MLAs about the condition of that CHC, and it speaks volumes of the fact that healthcare in Meghalaya is very poor,” he said. When asked about the absence of the in-charge of the Mawiong CHC, Basaiawmoit said that he is not aware of it and the party does not want to talk about any specific individual, but it has to speak about how the government manages the health centres and how it provides manpower in these facilities.
“Until and unless the government provides the required strength of staff, the required infrastructure that is needed for the health centres, I don’t see that we shall deviate to any other topic to discuss,” Basaiawmoit said.
Syngkon, who also served as the VPP’s general secretary, suffered a heart attack on February 19 evening whilst playing futsal at Mawlai Mawiong.
Eyewitnesses reported that he collapsed suddenly and became unresponsive. With the 108 ambulance service delayed, he was rushed to the nearby Mawiong CHC—the closest government facility—in a private vehicle.
However, according to multiple eyewitness accounts, no doctor was present at the CHC during this critical time.
Only nursing staff were available, who assessed the situation and immediately advised shifting him to a higher-level facility. He was then taken to Dr H. Gordon Roberts Hospital, where he was declared dead at approximately 8:42 pm.
Local sources have speculated that the lack of criticism may stem from reports that one of the doctors posted at the Mawiong CHC is related to VPP supremo Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit.
