SHILLONG:
Health Minister, James K Sangma, has informed that 400 medical officers’ posts will be filled up soon and 150 new sub centers will be coming up in the state.
The minister was speaking at the ASHA Conference for East Khasi Hills district and Ri Bhoi district held on December 15 at SICPAC, Mawkasiang, Shillong.
Sangma in his speech expressed appreciation to all the ASHAs present and also informed everyone that in the last few years there have been a significant increase in performances by the state like the institutional delivery which has increased to 70 per cent from 55 per cent 2 years ago, reduction of maternal and infant mortality rates by over 30 per cent which is due to the ASHAs’ constant dedication and hard work.
Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Sampath Kumar reminisced about the time when he first started working with ASHAs was when he was Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills district in the year 2005.
Back then the immunization rate was only at 14 per cent for the whole state. With the efforts of the ASHAs, now in 2022, immunisation has reached 90 per cent in the state, he added.
He stated that the ASHAs have also played a very important role in helping the state reduce the number of malaria cases in the state and expresses his deep gratitude to them.
Kumar also mentioned that Meghalaya is the only state in the country whereby payment for ASHAs is done via the ASHA Pay APP and since the use of the app, there has not been any delay in payment.
The Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Guideline – the Meghalaya Way developed by Center for Population Research, was also released at the function by Sangma and the other dignitaries.