Shillong, February 6: The Government of Meghalaya has continued to strengthen public healthcare support through the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS), enhancing financial protection for beneficiaries during the 2025–26 financial year.
In the state budget for 2025–26, the government has earmarked ₹180 crore to sustain and expand the implementation of MHIS, ensuring health insurance coverage for eligible households across the state.
Of the total allocation, ₹5 crore has been set aside as a special additional fund to support beneficiaries requiring assistance beyond the standard MHIS coverage. The state government is also paying an annual premium of ₹2,576 per registered household to the insurance company implementing the scheme.
MHIS Linked With Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY)
MHIS continues to operate in convergence with the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), with the objective of covering approximately 6,92,979 households across Meghalaya.
Under MHIS Phase VI, beneficiaries are entitled to health insurance coverage of up to ₹5.3 lakh per family on a floater basis. In addition, the scheme now includes an enhanced ₹30,000 OPD benefit, covering diagnostics, maternity services, and chronic care for conditions such as cardiac ailments and diabetes.
CM Care+ Scheme for Advanced Treatment
To further strengthen healthcare support, the state government introduced the CM Care+ scheme in April 2025. The initiative provides additional financial assistance for patients requiring tertiary and critical care treatment beyond the MHIS–PMJAY coverage limit.
Rising Investment in Health Sector
In 2025, Meghalaya emerged as one of the leading states in India in terms of health sector investment, allocating nearly 8 per cent of its total state budget to healthcare—among the highest proportions nationwide.
Health expenditure in the state has shown steady growth over the years:
₹300 crore in 2010
₹1,700 crore in 2023
Continued increase in 2025
Major investments include the upgradation of Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and sub-centres, strengthening of district hospitals with improved IT systems, modern equipment, logistics, storage facilities, and real-time monitoring of medical supplies.
CM Reiterates Healthcare Vision
Speaking at the Meghalaya Health Summit 2025 held in Shillong, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening in-state healthcare facilities.
“No citizen of Meghalaya should be forced to travel outside the state for medical treatment,” Sangma said.
During the summit, appointment letters were distributed to over 200 nurses recruited through the Meghalaya Medical Services Recruitment Board (MMSRB) and 115 AYUSH personnel appointed under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM).
The Chief Minister also announced the Meghalaya State Antibiotic Policy 2025–26, aimed at addressing the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
MHIS Journey and Impact
MHIS was launched in 2012 and implemented in convergence with RSBY from 2013 onwards. Over the years, the scheme has expanded to cover secondary healthcare services, critical care, oncology, and tertiary treatment packages.
Under MHIS Phase VI, the scheme is being implemented by Reliance General Insurance Company Limited, selected through a competitive bidding process.
The state has also recorded improvements in key health indicators. Maternal mortality, for instance, declined from 172 in 2022 to 96 in 2025, reflecting the impact of sustained healthcare investments and policy interventions.
