Health and Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh today inaugurated a brand new first referral unit (FRU) at Mawphlang community health centre (CHC).
The FRU aims to improve healthcare access and quality for the residents of Mawphlang and surrounding areas.
Mawphlang CHC has enhanced its facilities, employing five medical officers, one junior specialist, three dental personnel and one AYUSH practitioner. The centre now offers 39 medical tests, reducing the need for villagers to travel to Shillong.
Speaking at the occasion, Lyngdoh said that the public need to trust government hospitals and the notion that they are inferior to private institutes should be dispelled. The minister also stressed the government’s goal of providing quality healthcare closer to villagers’ homes.
Lyngdoh urged villagers to register with Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) and link it to Aadhaar for free treatment.
She emphasised the critical role the FRU will play in enhancing healthcare services, particularly maternal and child care, which are vital for the well-being of the community. “The establishment of this First Referral Unit is not just a facility; it is a lifeline for our citizens who require timely and specialized care,” she said.
Chief Secretary, Donald Phillips Wahlang emphasised the importance of infrastructure and manpower for such facilities. He congratulated the Health Department on its efforts in making this achievement possible.
Mawphlang MLA, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah expressed optimism about the FRU’s potential to bridge the gap between primary healthcare and specialized treatment, particularly in emergency maternal and child health cases. “The First Referral Unit at Mawphlang CHC will ensure that critical cases receive timely interventions, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for healthcare,” he remarked.
Secretary of Health & Family Welfare Ram Kumar said the FRUs are designed to handle emergency referrals from nearby health facilities, the unit offers advanced medical care, reducing the strain on regional hospitals and easing travel burdens for local residents.
