TURA — Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday inaugurated a 50-bed annex at the District Maternity & Child Hospital (DMCH), Tura, and launched Mother & Child Care Kits for patients admitted to the hospital.
The new annex adds 50 beds to the hospital’s existing capacity and is intended to expand maternal and child healthcare services in Garo Hills.
Additional Chief Secretary Sampath Kumar, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal, senior health officials, doctors and other officials attended the inauguration.
Speaking at the programme, Sangma said the government has prioritised the social sector since 2018, with health, education and social welfare together accounting for nearly one-fourth of the State Budget. He said education receives around ₹3,000–3,500 crore annually. Sangma said spending on health and education must produce measurable outcomes, noting that investments in the two sectors can take five to 10 years to show visible results.
He said Meghalaya has recorded a 55 per cent reduction in maternal mortality, which he described as the highest reduction among states in the country. Sangma said the government’s target should be zero maternal and child deaths.The Chief Minister also said Meghalaya’s Mother and Child Health Model has received national recognition and that he had been invited to present the model before the Prime Minister. Several health projects are in the pipeline under the PM-DevINE scheme, Sangma said, adding that further expansion of the Mother and Child Hospital is also being planned.
Sampath Kumar said the government had focused on healthcare infrastructure over the past six to seven years. He said the state was working to bring the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to single-digit levels.
He said the health strategy also includes community mobilisation through traditional institutions, stronger grassroots healthcare systems and effective use of referral vehicles for maternal and child emergencies.
Earlier, Director of Health Services (MCH & FW) Dr. P. Chyne delivered the welcome address.
