Health and Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has called for greater awareness to be made among the public over the benefits of healthcare schemes in order to bring down the rates of maternal and infant mortality.
Lyngdoh said this during a visit to Mendipathar in North Garo Hills. She was in the district to assess the ground realities of matters concerning the Health and Agriculture Departments and interacted with officials and farmers of the region.
Speaking to health officials, Lyngdoh reviewed the status of the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme (CMSMS). Referring to the figures of maternal and infant mortality presented by the Health Department, she said people need to be sensitised on the benefits of various maternal healthcare services, such as the CMSMS on a mission mode in order to bring down the infant and maternal mortality rates.
The minister advised the Health Department to devise strategies by involving all stakeholders so as to improve the overall healthcare status of the region.
A behavioural change on the part of health practitioners towards patients was also discussed during the meeting, which was necessitated to encourage more patients to come and have their health issues addressed.
Later, the minister also had a thorough discussion on schemes with agriculture and horticulture officials.
During the meeting, farmers also got the opportunity to raise their plantation problems and challenges before the minister.
Also present were the local legislators for North Garo Hills – Deputy Speaker and Resubelpara MLA Timothy D Shira, Mendipathar MLA Marthon J Sangma,
Bajengdoba MLA Pongseng Marak and Kharkutta MLA Rupert Momin.
Lyngdoh was accompanied on the visit by National Health Mission Meghalaya Director Ram Kumar S and Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Joram Beda.
