Shillong, Jul 9: The Baghmara Civil Hospital has seen an increase in patient footfall since the opening of its operation theatre.
With the demand for medical services having nearly doubled, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has directed health officials to expedite infrastructure and specialist services in South Garo Hills district.
The hospital recorded a total of 20,108 outpatient visits and 2,334 admissions last year. In the first six months of 2026 alone, it recorded 10,143 outpatient visits.
During a review meeting with senior Health Department officials, the chief minister instructed that all ongoing and proposed works be completed on priority and monitored closely to ensure timely delivery.
In response to the increasing healthcare demands, a budget of Rs 11.37 crore has been sanctioned for infrastructure projects. These include renovations of the hospital and the staff quarters, alongside the construction of an overhead water tank and the proposed expansion into a 70-bed facility. Currently, the renovation of the old community health centre building is nearing completion at 85 per cent, while the overhead water tank stands at 70 per cent completion.
The chief minister also reviewed plans to establish a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU, a blood bank, an integrated 50-bed Mother and Child Health wing, and an expanded birth waiting home to improve maternal and newborn healthcare in the district.
To address the shortage of specialist doctors, Sangma directed officials to expedite recruitment. The District Health Society has already advertised posts for a gynaecologist and a paediatrician, while steps are underway to strengthen nursing and paramedical services.
The review also covered the proposed upgrade of Chokpot Community Health Centre into a First Referral Unit, with facilities for comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care, a blood storage unit, a newborn stabilisation unit and round-the-clock referral services.
Sangma stressed that the infrastructure expansion must translate into reliable, quality healthcare for the people of South Garo Hills and directed the Health Department to regularly review progress on all projects.
