The Meghalaya cabinet today decided to introduce post-graduate diploma courses in child health, gynaecology and obstetrics in order to try and bring down the high rate of maternal and infant mortality prevalent in the State.
Informing this Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that State government would set up a recognised training centre for MBBS doctors to undergo a two-year special diploma course in these three studies.
Tynsong informed that the Health Department would engage expertise from outside the State to impart the training.
He also said that the State government will spend up to Rs 60 lakh per year for the training with an initial investment in infrastructure of “not less than Rs 2 crore”.
“After completion of the course they will be recognised as specialists,” Tynsong said.
“Those MBBS doctors who want to continue their further post-graduate studies or as specialists they can go outside for studies and their duration of studies is three years,” he added.
Stating that the State has a shortfall of 121 specialist doctors, Tynsong said, “After two years from now, we expect to have 20-30 specialists.”
Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved the draft Meghalaya Nursing Council Rules 2020 and the Meghalaya Nursing Council Regulations 2020.
The Meghalaya Nursing Council Act 1992 was notified but till today the rules have not been framed.
