SHILLONG:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on November 7, inaugurated the North East TB Free Summit, alongside Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and Dr Roderico H Ofrin from the World Health Organization, India.
In his address, Chief Minister Sangma highlighted healthcare as a top government priority, stating, “In recent years, we have invested significantly in healthcare, implementing various strategies to ensure quality healthcare in Meghalaya.” He also mentioned increased state government funding for health missions and wellness centres to improve primary healthcare access and quality.
Pointing to the economic empowerment of women through self-help groups and its positive impact on health, he added, “The connection between health and economic development can be seen through indicators like mortality rates, infant mortality, fertility, diseases, and overall well-being, affecting human productivity.”
Chief Minister Sangma stressed the importance of human capital in economic development and its correlation with health. He acknowledged the diagnostic delay in tuberculosis and urged community involvement, nutrition, treatment innovation, technology integration, wellness, and preventive measures to achieve India’s TB-free goal by 2025.
He also noted the need for TB diagnostic and treatment facilities in remote areas due to Meghalaya’s challenging terrain and dispersed population, encouraging health department stakeholders to work with purpose and commitment.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh emphasised the necessity of community involvement, preventive measures, and continued focus on eradicating TB.
Dr Roderico H Ofrin pointed to the summit’s role in sharing best practices and knowledge exchange in TB eradication.
During the event, Chief Minister Sangma launched the Meghalaya Mobile Portable AI-based X-ray diagnostic facility.
The event was attended by Dr Rajendra P Joshi from the Government of India, Director, NEIGHRIMS Dr Nalin Mehta, Health Secretaries from Nagaland and Manipur, representatives from other North Eastern states, and senior officers from the Government of Meghalaya.