Shillong, Feb 24: Amid a persistent shortage of doctors – particularly specialists – in Meghalaya, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla today informed the Assembly that the state currently has only four anaesthesiologists, a number he described as “really less.”
Responding during Question Hour, the minister said the department has initiated recruitment through the Meghalaya Medical Services Recruitment Board (MMSRB) and has received sanction from the Finance Department to appoint more specialists on a contractual basis soon.
The issue came up after Rajabala MLA Dr Mizanur Kazi raised concerns regarding the functioning of Bhaitbari Community Health Centre (CHC), highlighting the increasing patient load and the absence of key specialists.
Much of the increasing patient load has come about through the government’s efforts to encourage institutional delivery, i.e. having women give birth in proper healthcare institutions.
However, staffing shortages remain a major concern. Replying to Dr Kazi’s supplementary question, Shylla said that at present there are four Medical Officers in station, along with one AYUSH personnel. Two MOs are on study leave. A gynaecologist originally posted at Bhaitbari CHC has been deputed to Tura MCH Hospital due to the non-operationalisation of the operation theatre at Bhaitbari, caused by the absence of an anaesthesiologist. A newly recruited junior specialist (surgeon) from MMSRB did not join after being posted to Baghmara.
Dr Kazi urged the minister to immediately repost the gynaecologist to Bhaitbari, citing the high number of deliveries and the need for specialist care even in normal and complicated pregnancies. In response, Shylla said the deputation was necessary as most complicated cases are currently being referred to Tura MCH due to the non-functional OT. He reiterated that once an anesthesiologist is recruited and the OT becomes operational, specialists would be brought back to the CHC.
On the availability of diagnostic facilities, the minister confirmed that ECG services are available at Bhaitbari CHC, though no ECG technician is currently posted. Doctors and nurses have been trained to conduct ECG tests in the interim.
