Shillong, Jan 24: Meghalaya achieved a key milestone in strengthening its primary healthcare system with the convocation of the first batch of doctors from the Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine (PGDFM) Meghalaya Batch 2023.
This course is a flagship capacity-building initiative supported by the National Health Mission (NHM), Meghalaya, in academic partnership with Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore.
The convocation ceremony was held today at Dr H. Gordon Roberts Hospital, Shillong, where 22 government in-service doctors practising at the primary and secondary levels of healthcare, as well as three practising doctors from Dr H. Gordon Roberts Hospital, were formally awarded their postgraduate diplomas.
The PGDFM programme is designed to strengthen the clinical, diagnostic and decision-making capacities of doctors working in district hospitals, community health centres and primary health facilities.
By training doctors in comprehensive family medicine, the initiative aims to improve continuity of care, reduce avoidable referrals, and enhance access to quality healthcare services, particularly in rural and geographically challenging areas.
Health and Family Welfare Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar who joined the event virtually, emphasised the value of the training programme organised by CMC Vellore and Dr H. Gordon Roberts Hospital, particularly for doctors deployed in remote areas.
Kumar drew a parallel with states like Bihar and Chhattisgarh, which have successfully implemented similar training programmes on a large scale to upgrade their primary healthcare workforce.
Hinting at a similar future roadmap for Meghalaya to standardise this advanced qualification for all primary healthcare doctors, he congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the collaborative leadership driving the state’s health sector forward.
Health Secretary Ramkumar S highlighted that the primary motivation behind the PG Diploma in Family Medicine is the “three A’s” of public service: Accessibility, Affordability, and Availability.
He noted that in a state like Meghalaya, patients often have no alternative to public health facilities, making it crucial to equip doctors with specialised skills to bridge the gap between general practice and specialist care.
Ramkumar added that the training reduces the need for referrals by enabling doctors to diagnose and treat conditions earlier, thereby strengthening the community health system. He urged the graduates to become brand ambassadors for the programme, noting that their enhanced capabilities will directly improve the quality-of-service delivery to the public.
NHM Managing Director Ramakrishna Chitturi emphasised the pivotal role of the graduating doctors in transforming Meghalaya’s healthcare landscape. He acknowledged the state’s improving health indicators, such as increased life expectancy and reduced maternal mortality, crediting these gains to collaborative efforts between the government and partners like CMC Vellore and Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital.
Highlighting that the administration’s primary function is to support frontline workers, he urged the graduates to pursue lifelong learning.
Underscoring their direct impact on communities, he stated, “The entire support system exists to serve you, because what you do on the field is what the people are going to get.”
Director of Health Services (Medical Institutions) Dr. Janupribalas S. Momin recognised the resilience and discipline required to complete the diploma. She emphasised that the doctors’ newly acquired skills carry a greater responsibility to heal countless lives, reminding them that medical practice must be grounded in ethics, compassion, and lifelong learning.
Medical Superintendent of Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital Dr. Kenneth Nongpyiur emphasised the transformative nature of the diploma, noting that it shifts medical practice from being purely investigation-based to a holistic, patient-centred approach.
He also reaffirmed the hospital’s 100-year legacy of service and expressed gratitude for the partnership with the state government and CMC Vellore to elevate healthcare standards.
Speaking on the occasion, four of the graduating doctors described the two-year Distance Education course as a transformative journey that seamlessly integrated practical learning with daily clinical work. They highlighted how the program empowered them to move beyond treating diseases to caring for patients and families holistically, instilling greater confidence in primary care decision-making.
