By The Editor
According to reports on health the state has highest infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the country which is a matter of great concern. Population increase, crowded habitation, unhealthy environment, urbanisation, poverty and lack of proper health care are main factors for deteriorating health system in Meghalaya not to mention about shortage of doctors and paramedical staff which are compounded by total absence of medical college. If situation does not improve then catastrophe will surely set in sooner or later. It is therefore important that health sector be given priority because healthy nation will surely become prosperous. Ways and means for improving health infrastructure should be devised at all cost and delay in taking necessary action is considered a crime because time is highly essential. Health is common theme in most culture and in modern world it has become fundamental human right. World Health Organization (WHO) has clearly stated in preamble to its Constitution in 1948 that the enjoyment of highest attainable standard of health is one of fundamental rights.
State government signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with government of Tamil Nadu on September 19 in which the latter has agreed to extend all possible help in recruitment and training of medical professionals Meghalaya. Health Minister James P K Sangma thanked Tamil Nadu counterpart Ma Subramaniam and added that this will greatly benefit the state because Tamil Nadu has amply demonstrated its capability and efficiency in health sector for ages and its name is well-known not only in the country but also across the globe. As per agreement there is possibility of fellowship programme for medical specialists to serve in Meghalaya including rural areas. Local doctors will be imparted training in various fields so that they will be able to cope with growing demand. Community Health Centres (CHCs) will be upgraded as first referral units (FRUs) and health system will be strengthened. State health officials also visited Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), Chennai and Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation (TNMSC), Egmore where at the latter they were presented information about working and best practice of TNMS as well as of Medical Services Recruitment Board. These efforts will be much relief to health sector in the state which had faced great problems due to shortage of manpower during all these past years.
Mother Health Policy which was passed by Cabinet in March 2021 was not able to effectively start due to various hurdles especially that of Covid-19 pandemic but with signing of MoU with Tamil Nadu it is expected that it will soon pick up and be on right path. All these past years Tamil Nadu hospitals and health care facilities had rendered valuable services to patients from North East especially Meghalaya. This wonderful and historical deal will bring hope to our people and for which the state is highly grateful and indebted to the government and people of Tamil Nadu.
