Shillong, Apr 27: Meghalaya Health minister, A.L. Hek on Friday urged the medical fraternity of the State to sincerely work in providing the best health care services possible to patients especially the poor and needy.

Hek made this appeal to the medical fraternity while inaugurating the 20^th Scientific Conference-cum-General Body meeting of the medical fraternity of the state under the banner of the Meghalaya Medical Services Association (MMSA) on the theme “Transforming Healthcare – In Continuity with Consistency” at the State Convention Centre here.

Tourism minister Metbah Lyngdoh also graced the occasion as the guest of honour in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary (Health), P. W. Ingty, DHS (MI), Dr. T. Wahlang, MMSA president, Dr. Aman War, general secretary, Dr. Bareh Pohchen, and doctors from across the state.

Stating that theme of the conference was apt and encouraging, Hek said expressed hope that the outcome of the meeting would be of great help not only to doctors but also the health department to understand, innovate and improve the provision of healthcare to the people of the state.

He said that medical science is a wide field and one has to go on updating and replenishing one’s knowledge to keep abreast so as to provide the latest technical diagnostic  know how and treatment to the patients.

Hek also said that with the selfless sacrifice of doctors and other health staff, the implementation of centrally funded schemes like National Health Mission and various health programmes, quality medical services to the people has improved.

To improve the health indices statistics such as MMR and IMR, , Hek said that  decisions have to be taken in a professional manner and approach.

“To achieve such noble objectives, we need dedicated, devoted and contended members of the medical community to serve the people. It is only by a common and joint endeavour between the administration of all levels and the people that these objectives can be achieved,” he added.

Lyngdoh said the State government was committed to reach out to the people especially in rural areas who are in needs of healthcare facilities by setting up CHCs and PHCs across the state.

He also called upon the medical fraternity of the State to come together and set a goal to transform the health care system in the State.

Earlier, a souvenir of the Meghalaya Medical Services Association was released by the chief guest along with other dignitaries.