Meghalaya Chief Minister Announces 9% Budget Allocation for Health Sector

Shillong: During the inauguration of the Babies’ Critical Care Unit at Ganesh Das Government Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Shillong, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma revealed that nearly 9% of the state’s budget is now dedicated to the health sector. He stated, “In terms of percentage, this is either the highest or the second highest allocation in the country. This underscores our commitment to prioritizing healthcare.” Sangma emphasized his administration’s focus on improving medical and health services.

The new Babies’ Critical Care Unit at Ganesh Das Hospital is the state’s first government facility to offer specialized care. It features a Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and a Mother-Newborn Care Unit (MNCU). The 30-bed unit, which has been operational since May 1, 2024, was funded through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (PMJAY-MHIS). It is equipped with advanced NICU beds and provides intensive care for newborns and high-risk pregnancies.

In his address, Sangma outlined the state government’s plans to establish Shillong Medical College by 2025, with hopes that the first batch of MBBS students will start their studies by then. He also noted that Tura Medical College is expected to become operational by 2026. “I am optimistic that within the next few years, we will have both medical colleges up and running, which will greatly enhance the overall health scenario in our state,” he said.

The Chief Minister further emphasized the importance of investing in state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, including intensive care units (ICUs) and operating theatres, in accordance with National Medical Council (NMC) standards. He also highlighted the need to improve healthcare services in rural areas and enhance the quality of facilities and accommodation for medical staff.