James Sangma lays foundation stone for upgradation of Kharkutta PHC to CHC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 19, 2022

Health & Family Welfare Minister, Government of Meghalaya, James P K Sangma laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of Kharkutta PHC to Community Health Centre (CHC) in North Garo Hills on Wednesday.  The foundation stone was laid in the presence of Timothy D Shira, Deputy Speaker & Resubelpara MLA, MLAs of Bajengdoba and Kharkutta, Pongseng Marak and Rupert Momin.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, James P K Sangma said challenges aroused during the COVID 19 pandemic have led the government to realize the need for better equipped health infrastructures. The need to shelter large number of patients, to upgrade PHC to CHC, revamping of sub centers and strengthening of these infrastructures has been the priority of the government in order to enable the people and the state for better health care services.

The tireless persuasion of the Kharkutta MLA, Rupert Momin on the need for the upgradation of Kharkutta PHC to CHC and for understanding the basic need of the people necessitated the upgradation of the PHC to CHC, said James P K SAngma.

With the operational on completion of the upcoming CHC, the hospital would accommodate four medical specialists, well equipped health services and beds would be enhanced to as many as 30 numbers.

Mentioning the digitized payment system, the health minister said the problem of late payment to ASHA health workers has been resolved. Efforts are also up in sleeve for ensuring improvement of the payment system, he added.

Addressing on the shortage of medical doctors especially specialists,  Sangma said  MoU has been signed with the Tamil Nadu government to facilitate capacity building of medical professionals.

The health minister informed that the state soon would have its own medical college in Shillong to cater to the need of medical professionals and also Recruitment Board to facilitate timely appointment of medical doctors and nurses.

He also informed that the government is also on the move to initiate medicine procurement agency in order to address the problem of medicines shortages in the health centres.

James P K Sangma, while concluding his speech said that although the government will provide all basic necessities to the people in terms of better  health infrastructure but the well being of the people lies in their own hands and therefore urged upon them to choose a healthy lifestyle.

Kharkutta MLA & Chairman MNREDA, Rupert Momin in his speech said the upgradation of Kharkutta PHC to CHC would address the health problems of the people especially the poor section of the society who otherwise could not afford to visit distant private hospitals in neighbouring Assam of either Goalpara or Guwahati. On completion of the CHC the hospital would have better health care facilities, he added.

Momin also informed that earlier there was some setback regarding land procurement for the upcoming Kharkutta CHC but with the voluntary donation of the Headman of Chiwaki, the long cherished dreams of the people would soon see its light. 

While adding that many sub centres in the region have been given a facelift with the support of the government,  Momin also lauded the Medical department for their active service in maintaining the health centres.

 “Health being the important department serving the wellbeing of the people, it is therefore imperative that the people deserve what is better and hence the upgradation of the Kharkutta PHC to CHC will be a boon for the people at large”, said Bajendoba MLA Pongseng Marak.

The people should acknowledge the initiatives taken by Kharkutta MLA in pushing for progressive developments in all aspects for the welfare of the people, Pongseng added.

While Informing the gathering of the conditions of the 19 sub centres that were were recently refurbished with the intervention of the Health Minister under Bajengdoba C&RD Block, Pongseng  also informed that the same programme would be held in Bajengdoba later to upgrade the Bajengdoba PHC to CHC.

Others who spoke during the programme were, Timothy D Speaker, Deputy Speaker & Resubelpara MLA and R N Sangma, ADC In – Charge Deputy Commissioner, North GAro Hills, Dr S Boro, DM&HO and Philifort Marak, Headman of Chiwaki Village.