SHILLONG, SEPT 21: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday inaugurated a 50-bedded annex at the District Maternity and Child Hospital (DMCH), Tura, and distributed Mother and Child Care Kits to patients, marking a major upgrade to maternal and child health infrastructure in Garo Hills.

The new block is expected to ease overcrowding and strengthen care for mothers and children in the region.

Addressing the gathering, Sangma said the government has prioritized social sector since 2018, with health, education and social welfare making up nearly 25 percent of the state budget.

“Development is not only about spending money, it is about outcome. Health and education are sticky subjects – you invest today and results come after five to ten years. Education alone gets Rs 3,000-3,500 crore every year,” he said.

The Chief Minister said Meghalaya has achieved the highest decline in maternal deaths in the country with a 55 percent drop, but the mission is to bring it to zero.

“We have to aim for zero maternal and child deaths. Health is not just about prescribing medicines, it is about saving lives,” he said.

He said Meghalaya’s Mother and Child Health Model has been nationally recognised and he has been invited to present it before the Prime Minister. More health projects under PM-DevINE and further expansion of DMCH are in the pipeline, he added.

Additional Chief Secretary Sampath Kumar said investments in health over the past six to seven years under the Chief Minister’s leadership are showing results.

“We are working to bring MMR and IMR to single digits. Along with infrastructure, we are mobilising communities, involving traditional institutions, strengthening grassroots health systems and ensuring referral vehicles are used effectively,” Kumar said.

The event was attended by West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal, health officials and doctors. 

Director of Health Services (MCH & FW) P. Chyne delivered the welcome address.