Meet with private hospitals explores ties to improve healthcare services
“Our aim is clear — no resident should need to go outside Meghalaya for treatment” Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister
Shillong, June 16: Giving a fillip to the state’s employment as well as healthcare scenario, chief minister Conrad K Sangma has distributed appointment letters to over 200 newly recruited nurses and 115 staff for health services in the state.
The nurses were appointed through Meghalaya Medical Services Recruitment Board (MMSRB) while the staff recruitment took place under National AYUSH Mission (NAM).
“This is more than just a job — it’s a calling. Approach every patient with empathy; your compassion can transform lives,” the chief minister said while congratulating the new recruits on Monday.
Meanwhile, the chief minister also launched the Meghalaya State Antibiotic Policy 2025-26.
He highlighted key reforms taken up by the government and mentioned that in 2018 when the state was facing a shortage of doctors, the government recruited 500 doctors in just three months after a cabinet approval.
Significantly, Meghalaya now allocates 8% of its total state budget to health sector, highest in the country. Since 2010, the state’s health budget has grown nearly six-fold, from ₹300 crore to ₹1,700 crore in 2023.
“Our aim is clear — no resident should need to go outside Meghalaya for treatment. We’re working to make our healthcare system a regional and international hub, while also inviting private sector partnerships to strengthen rural services,” he said.
The government has been making investments in rural hospitals – PHCs, CHCs, sub-centres, and district hospitals — covering infrastructure, medical equipment, IT systems, storage, logistics, and real-time monitoring of supplies.
Addressing on the occasion, health minister Ampareen Lyngdoh urged the new recruits to serve where they’re most needed and called on more youth to pursue nursing.
“The world needs more nurses like the ones we have in Meghalaya,” she said.
Principal secretary Dr Sampath Kumar noted Meghalaya’s pioneering status in both health investment and universal health coverage through the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS). He also emphasised the role of MMSRB in ensuring transparent and merit-based hiring.
Commissioner & secretary Dr Joram Beda stated that MMSRB has now successfully conducted three recruitment rounds and affirmed the integrity of the process.
“You are products of a fair, free, and transparent system,” he told the new recruits.
The summit also featured a technical session and roundtable discussion with private hospitals, led by the chief minister, to explore stronger public-private collaboration for improving the quality of healthcare services across the state.
A key highlight was the discussion on the Meghalaya Cancer Action Programme, during which Dr Joram Beda said the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing early detection of breast cancer and improving patient outcomes.
Participating hospitals included Dr H Gordon Roberts Hospital, Nazareth Hospital, Bethany Hospital, Supercare Hospital, Woodland Hospital, Bansara Eye Clinic, SAN-KER Charitable Trust, The Children’s Hospital – all in Shillong and Dr. Norman Tunnel Hospital (Jowai), St Joseph Hospital (Nongstoiñ), Makarios Medical Centre (Mairang), Holy Cross Hospital (Tura), Tura Christian Hospital (Tura).
