Shillong, April 30: In order meet shortage of specialist doctors, the state government is exploring ways to revise the medical bond policy that aims at encouraging doctors to serve in rural hospitals.
Admitting “acute shortage” of specialists, especially in rural areas, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla on Wednesday said many of the Govt-sponsored MBBS students do not return to serve in the state.
Referring to his discussion with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on the matter, he said, “We are trying to come up with a change in the bond policy where our MBBS students will come back and work in the state.”
Meanwhile, Shylla highlighted the progress made towards medical education with the Shillong Medical College starting its first MBBS batch this year.
“That means the medical education is growing,” he said.
He said the government is upgrading nursing schools to colleges to expand opportunities. “Now we are trying to convert most of our nursing schools to nursing colleges so that they will get more avenues.”
To address the shortage of specialist doctors in rural areas, the department is deputing doctors for short-term courses.
Pointing out at allocation of 8 percent budget to health sector, highest among states in the country, he said, “Right now if you see the kind of effort, the kind of initiative and the kind of support the government is giving…”
He added that per capita health spending in the state is double the national average.
“The annual spending for each person in India on an average is Rs 3500 but in Meghalaya, we are spending more than Rs 7,000 for each person,” Shylla said.
“That shows the kind of priority we are giving… but no doubt just giving money is not enough… we need to have a vision, we need to have a plan…”
Admitting multiple challenges in the sector, he said, “There is issue of infrastructure, manpower, equipment and other things… there is issue of stigma and people not coming and doing the check-up on time.”
Still, he maintained the state is headed in the right direction. “We are getting the kind of priority as expected and with all the support we get from the government, I definitely hope that things will improve.”
