Assistant Solicitor General, Nitesh Mozika has told the Meghalaya High Court that NEIGRIHMS which is the principal medical facility in the State is seeing an exodus of medical personnel to the recently established All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, including at Guwahati.
Mozika made the submission during the hearing of a PIL in the division bench of the High Court today relating to deficiencies of the healthcare system in the State.
At the hearing, some reasons were indicated as to why Shillong may not be an attractive long-term proposition for specialty doctors.
The court however said that it is inconceivable to say that the doctors are getting better pay at other institutes since the pay and benefits would be almost the same in all comparable institutes.
“It is necessary for the State to look into the reasons for the alarming level of attrition at NEIGRIHMS and take remedial measures so that the institution survives not only in its brick and mortar but also in its intended service,” the High Court said.
During today’s hearing, a report was filed in the court by the State through the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department.
“Though the report speaks of several measures having been taken by the State in the recent past to improve the healthcare facilities, particularly at the grassroots level, a lot more needs to be done,” the court said.
“While it is appreciated that some steps have been taken by the State to augment the healthcare facilities and look into the needs of, particularly the persons in far-flung areas of the State, a lot more needs to be done,” the court added.
The High Court expressed its concern that 75 years after Independence and 50 years after the birth of Meghalaya, there is no medical college in the State nor is there any super speciality hospital for cancer patients, though the incidence of oral cancer in the State is the highest in the country.
The matter will come up for hearing on October 18 when the court reopens.
