Shillong, Feb 24: Medical staff at the Mawiong CHC acted promptly and within their capacity when Shillong MP Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon was brought there, an inquiry by the District Medical and Health Officer, East Khasi Hills has revealed.
Sharing the findings of the inquiry, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla on Tuesday said emergency assessment and basic life support measures were initiated immediately upon Syngkon’s arrival at the CHC on February 19, 2026, after he collapsed while playing football.
“The staff present acted within the scope and capacity of a Community Health Centre, including immediate examination, oxygen administration, initiation of CPR and timely referral to a higher facility,” Shylla said, adding that there was no finding of refusal of care or delay in referral.
Syngkon was referred to Dr H Gordon Robert Hospital, where he was pronounced with unrecordable vitals and dilated pupils. The health department expressed condolences to Syngkon’s family and acknowledged the critical nature of sudden cardiac arrests.
Shylla also addressed allegations of a doctor’s absence at Mawiong CHC when Shillong MP Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon was brought there, citing a shortage of doctors in the state.
“We are in a tremendous shortage of doctors in our state,” Shylla said, explaining that out of four doctors posted at Mawiong CHC, two were on postgraduate leave and one was transferred to Khliehriat CHC due to medical reasons, leaving only one doctor in charge.
The minister said the lone doctor was available on call and guided the nurse remotely as she administered emergency care.
“He was there the whole day from 9 am to 4 pm attending OPD cases…the nurse was on call with the doctor and under the doctor’s guidance,” Shylla said.
Acknowledging the unfortunate situation, Shylla said the government is working to address doctor shortages, having received sanction to recruit 150 contractual doctors.
“We are conducting recruitment very soon,” he added.
