Shillong, Jan 25: Primary healthcare in rural Meghalaya is likely to be strengthened with the graduation of the first batch of doctors of the Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine (PGDFM) programme. PGDFM is an initiative aimed at improving access to quality primary healthcare, particularly in rural and remote areas of the state.
A total of 25 doctors, including 22 government in-service doctors and three private practitioners, were awarded their diplomas at a convocation ceremony held at Dr H. Gordon Roberts Hospital, Shillong on Sunday.
The programme is supported by the National Health Mission (NHM), Meghalaya, in academic partnership with Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore.
The PGDFM programme is designed to enhance doctors’ clinical, diagnostic and decision-making skills, enabling them to deliver comprehensive, community-oriented care at district hospitals, community health centres and primary health facilities. Officials said the initiative would help reduce avoidable referrals, improve continuity of care and strengthen frontline healthcare delivery.
Dr Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, who addressed the ceremony virtually, highlighted the importance of specialised training for doctors serving in difficult and remote terrains. Drawing parallels with states such as Bihar and Chhattisgarh, he noted that structured family medicine training has significantly strengthened their primary healthcare systems. He hinted at Meghalaya exploring a similar roadmap to standardise advanced family medicine qualifications for primary care doctors across the state.
Ramkumar S, Health Secretary, said the PGDFM programme addresses the three critical pillars of public service—accessibility, affordability and availability. “In a state like Meghalaya, where public healthcare is often the only option for patients, empowering doctors with specialised skills bridges the gap between general practice and specialist care,” he said, adding that the training enables early diagnosis and treatment, reducing the burden on higher referral centres.
Ramakrishna Chitturi, Managing Director, NHM Meghalaya, emphasised the transformative role of the graduating doctors in improving the state’s health outcomes. He credited collaborative efforts between the state government, NHM, CMC Vellore and Dr H. Gordon Roberts Hospital for Meghalaya’s improving health indicators, including increased life expectancy and reduced maternal mortality. “What you do in the field is what the people are going to get,” he told the graduates, urging them to pursue lifelong learning.
Dr Januribala S. Momin, Director of Health Services (Medical Institutions), underlined the discipline and commitment required to complete the two-year diploma, reminding doctors of their greater responsibility to serve communities with ethics, compassion and professional integrity.
Medical Superintendent Dr Kenneth Nongpiur described the graduation of the first batch as a milestone in the hospital’s long legacy of service. He noted that the PGDFM programme marks a shift from investigation-driven practice to a holistic, patient-centred approach, aligned with the hospital’s 100-year-old mission of compassionate care.
Four graduating doctors shared their experiences, describing the distance education programme as transformative, as it seamlessly integrated academic learning with everyday clinical practice and enhanced their confidence in primary care decision-making.
The ceremony concluded with a formal pledge administered by Dr Adeline Sitther, reaffirming the graduates’ commitment to ethical, patient-centric medical practice and the motto of their alma mater: “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”
Officials present included senior representatives from the Health and Family Welfare Department, NHM Meghalaya, DHS (MI), CMC Vellore, and Dr H. Gordon Roberts Hospital.
