May 5, 2023 - Shillongtoday

Health Minister says no iota of negligence by GDH

"ago" 1 monthMay 5, 2023 Shillong Today

SHILLONG, MAY 5: Minister in-charge Health and Family Welfare Ampareen Lyngdoh on Friday said there has been no act of negligence on the part of the Ganesh Das Hospital (GDH) in connection with the case of woman from Mawlyndep village, who recently had to be taken to NEIGRIHMS to remove a portion of a needle that was stuck inside her body during labour.

“Compensation does not arise at this point in time. Prima facie as I observed as minister of the state, there seems to be no negligence, no iota of negligence (in this case). So compensation does not arise,” Lyngdoh told reporters after visiting the mother at NEIGRIHMS.

She also informed that the patient is recovering very positively and that she is very stable.

When asked, the health minister said after gathering better information on this whole incident which occurred three-four days ago, the facts are now very clear.

“The patient went for a delivery (at Ganesh Das hospital). The patient has a history of high risk pregnancy. The patient got into a complicated situation where there was a problem with the delivery. The child was finally delivered but…the child had some complications right from the stage of birth. Now, post-delivery, the patient was kept under observation and subsequently there was bleeding and spotted that was discovered by the staff and reported by the patient.

The patient was taken back to the OT where a procedure had to start at the earliest to stop this bleeding and at the time of this procedure post-delivery there seems to have been a break of the needle which could not be located by the doctor administering this surgery or this procedure for this patient at the Ganesh Das facility. The doctor very correctly packed the patient quickly and did not pursue further in the location of this needle because you need a better imaging facility which was not available at the Ganesh Das facility. The patient was then quickly transported to NEIGRIHMS,” she said.

At the NEIGRIHMS, she further informed, “We are very grateful to the NEIGRIHMS facility as immediately imaging was done, the gyne department sprang into action and located the needle in the pelvic area of the patient. It is not true that the needle had travelled up.”

According to the minister, this kind of a situation is not an unusual occurrence and that such facts need to be clearly understood by the media, which is communicating this information to the public.

Scientific coal mining will bring a new economic era: Meghalaya CM

"ago" 1 monthMay 5, 2023 Shillong Today

SHILLONG, MAY 5: A felicitation programme in recognition of the efforts of the State government to initiate scientific mining in Meghalaya was held at Khliehriat today that was attended by Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar. Also present was MLA, Sutnga-Saipung, Santa Mary Shylla.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, said the moment for which all had gathered was important and historic for the ban on mining activities by NGT had far reaching effects on the lives of the people of the State and specifically the people of East Jaintia Hills. “It was the hardships and the economic difficulties of the people who depended on mining that motivated me to ensure that mining activities are revived in our State,” he said.

He informed that with the lift on the ban after the judgement by Supreme Court the government had devise the mining plan of the State following the guidelines for safe mining and protection of the environment. “in the last three years we have been working continuously with the Government of India to come up with a system that is applicable only in the State of Meghalaya given the uniqueness of the State where the land belongs to people,” he added.

The Chief Minister further said that devising a mining plan specific to Meghalaya was huge challenge both for the Government of India and the government of Meghalaya. “I must at this point of time acknowledge the efforts of the mining department and the entire team of legal experts, environmental experts and the miners who have been supporting the government to ensure that we are able to finally come up with a plan and policy and today after long years of struggle it is a moment of great joy for each one of us,” he said. He also informed that the government will further work with the government of India so that gradually other miners will be able to procure their mining lease. “We will have the mining department to have awareness programmes on how to go about applying for the mining lease and we urge those who have got their mining lease to guide the other fellow miners,” he added.

He also added that the restoration of mining in the State will impact all other industries will be impacted. “The coal mining at this point is not only about coal mining and miners but its about the overall economic impact on the other sectors that will bring a new economic era for our State and the multiplier effect and this particular moment is a defining moment for the State,” said the Chief Minister.
Earlier, Secretary, Mining and Geology, E Kharmalki informed that there are 17 applicants for the mining lease and another four applications will be forwarded to the government of India.

State registers 6 new Covid cases

"ago" 1 monthMay 5, 2023 Shillong Today

SHILLONG, MAY 5: The state on Friday recorded six new Covid cases taking the tally of active cases to 29 in the state.

Of these, 5 cases were reported in West Garo Hills and 1 in East Khasi Hills.

Meanwhile, three patients have also recovered from the disease while three are still being hospitalized.

Govt taking all steps to bring back stranded citizens from Manipur

"ago" 1 monthMay 5, 2023 Shillong Today

SHILLONG, MAY 5: The state government is taking all possible measures in evacuating students and civilians from Manipur.

With the use of special flights, Meghalaya is bringing its stranded people from Manipur, including 50 students from the Agriculture University, 10 students from Food Technology Institute, 25 members of the Lajong football team, and others.

The Meghalaya government in collaboration with the PMO, Ministry of Home Affairs, DG Assam Rifles, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and private airlines, took all essential safety precautions to guarantee the passengers’ safety throughout flight.

As of Friday noon, more than 25 citizens are on the way to Meghalaya via Guwahati through different flights. Along with flights, special buses are bringing over 60 students to Meghalaya.

Additionally, the Meghalaya government has also launched a helpline for citizens who may require further assistance. The helpline number is 1800-345-3644, and citizens can call for any kind of assistance they may need. Also, students of agriculture and food technology can reach out to the Nodal Officer, Remdor Dkhar (+91 98631 14387), Dr. Paul Chyne (9863089972), can also be contacted for any queries regarding medical students.

A delegation of three officials led by Dr Ampareen M Lyngdoh (Minister, Government of Meghalaya), Daniel Thangkiew (Political Secretary & OSD to Chief Minister) and Dr Viveknanda Singh Rathore, IPS (SP, West Garo Hills) has travelled to Imphal for supporting the evacuation process.

Speaking about the efforts made by the government, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, “We are bringing back our stranded citizens through regular flights and chartered flights with special permission, who wish to return to Meghalaya. The Lajong football team has already been escorted to the airport, and we are making every effort to ensure the safe and timely return of all our citizens. I would like to urge the students from Meghalaya who are studying in Manipur and their parents to please don’t panic and be calm. We are working closely with the Union & State governments, security agencies to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made for the safe return of our students and citizens.”

PDF all set to officially merge with NPP in Shillong tomorrow

"ago" 1 monthMay 5, 2023 Shillong Today

SHILLONG, MAY 5: The People’s Democratic Front (PDF) on Friday officially announced its decision to merge with the ruling party.

The decision was unanimously taken at the general council meeting of PDF held here.

Speaking to reporters, PDF chief Gavin M Mylliem said, “We have unanimously decided to merge with the NPP after the meeting gave the signal for us to move ahead with the proposal.”

“As a party we have been working together with the NPP for the last five years under the MDA government and under the able leadership of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma, who is also at the same time the NPP national president. Through a series of discussions, most of the members are politically inclined to the NPP considering the ideologies and also what has been said in the manifesto of the NPP,” he said.

Mylliem informed that merger will take place tomorrow. There will be a grand welcome by the NPP to all leaders of the PDF.

“We also be signing a merging document tomorrow,” he added.

Asked if a cabinet berth has been promise to the PDF, Mylliem however said, “On the cabinet post, it totally depends on the wisdom of the chief minister.”

He however made it clear that the two PDF legislators have already been assigned as advisers of different departments – Lyngdoh as the adviser of the agriculture and farmers’ welfare department and Mylliem as adviser of the health and family welfare department.