Officials of the Health Department have informed Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh about the challenges faced by the department, such as the shortage of healthcare professionals, providing quality healthcare to hard-to-reach areas, and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases due to several risk factors such as smoking, substance abuse, and others.
Today, top officials of the Health Department apprised Lyngdoh about the various ongoing developments in the department aimed at improving the health of citizens in the State and the challenges to the health scenario.
During the meeting, the officials briefed the health minister on the progress made in the implementation of various health programmes and initiatives. The officials highlighted the key achievements of the department in the past years.
This included of coverage for outpatient departments (OPD) under the Megha Health Insurance Scheme, the launch of the Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Project, Meghalayan Medical Drugs and services, Meghalaya Medical Services Recruitment Board, Rescue Mission, and Digitisation and Technology in health.
Principal Secretary (Health) P Sampath Kumar informed that the Health Department is guided by a three-dimensional framework for universal health coverage as per the Meghalaya Health Policy, 2021.
The three dimensions include Preventive care – which includes demand and supply side interventions, Curative Care – which include health institutions such as CHCs, PHCs, sub-centres, and enabling – which includes policy and measures.
Through their efforts, the Health Department is expecting to increase the lifespan of the people, health-seeking behavior by the citizens, preventive care and decrease out-of-pocket expenses, mortality rate, and curative care and to balance the total fertility rate.
Speaking after the briefing, Lyngdoh expressed her appreciation for the department’s efforts in improving the health of the people and providing quality health services to all citizens of the State.
Assuring the health officials of the government’s support, the minister also encouraged them to consider taking suggestions and recommendations from local MLAs who represent their constituencies, as well as focusing on the well-being of the health workers.
Besides Kumar, the department was represented by Health Secretary Rosetta M. Kurbah, Deputy Secretary Twinkle Marak, DHS (MI) Dr. H C Lyndem, Director (Research) Dr. Y Phira, and Director (MCH & FW) Dr. S S Nongbri among others.
