Shillong, Mar 11: State Health and Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh acknowledged the high cost of palliative care but assured that the government is committed to addressing this challenge.

To improve healthcare services, the state is upgrading diagnostic centers and infrastructure to tackle various diseases.

Lyngdoh emphasized that the government invests in non-communicable disease programs and prioritizes preventive care.

The state aims to expand the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) to cover any disease, making it a dynamic list.

The Health and Family Welfare Minister expressed concern over the rising cases of Alzheimer’s and dementia, stressing the need to educate the masses and adopt healthier practices.

Lyngdoh assured the House that the department would focus on early detection, improving diagnostic centers, increasing screenings, and providing proper training for doctors.

Mawkyrwat legislator Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar brought the motion and highlighted the plight of poor families who cannot afford treatment for their loved ones.

He emphasized the need for better palliative care services to alleviate the suffering of patients and their families.