Shillong, Jan 25: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, along with Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh inaugurated the First Referral Unit (FRU), during a programme held at Ranikor, in Meghalaya’s South West Khasi Hills District on January 24.
This marks a major milestone in the state’s journey toward strengthening healthcare services for its citizens.
This state-of-the-art facility in Ranikor is envisioned to transform healthcare delivery in the region, offering emergency and specialist services to ensure the safety and well-being of mothers, infants, and families.
Over the last three to four years, Meghalaya has made remarkable progress in improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Since the launch of the MOTHER program, under the Rescue Mission initiative in 2022, maternal deaths have dropped by nearly 50 percent, and infant deaths by around 30 percent in the fiscal year 2023-24.
These significant achievements highlight the state’s dedication to reducing preventable maternal and infant deaths. However, challenges remain.
To bridge the gaps in healthcare delivery, the government initiated a strategic plan to upgrade Community Health Centres (CHCs) into First Referral Units (FRUs).
These units are equipped to provide emergency obstetric care, surgeries, and critical care services, reducing dependence on district and tertiary hospitals.
It may be mentioned that the FRU in Ranikor is one of the five FRUs activated in the first phase, alongside facilities in Mawphlang, Bhoirymbong, Pynursla, and Resubelpara. More CHCs are set to be upgraded in the second phase.
A key catalyst in operationalizing the FRUs has been Meghalaya’s collaboration with the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Since 2022, 76 doctors from Meghalaya have undergone specialized training in Comprehensive Emergency Maternal Obstetric Care (CeMOC), Life-Saving Anesthetic Skills (LSAS), and ultrasonography (USG).
This partnership has already yielded transformative results. Doctors trained in ultrasonography are now posted in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), providing essential diagnostic services to rural communities. Expectant mothers who previously had to travel to Tura or Assam for ultrasounds can now access these services closer to home, free of cost.
The inauguration of the Ranikor FRU marks a significant step forward. It is part of the government’s ongoing efforts including the training of more medical professionals and the expansion of FRUs to additional regions. The fourth batch of specialized doctor training commenced in December 2024, ensuring a continuous pipeline of skilled healthcare providers.
