Conrad directs officials to submit regular report progress, expedite specialist recruitment
Shillong, July 9: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday directed officials to fast-track all works at Baghmara Civil Hospital in South Garo Hills to strengthen healthcare services in the region.
The chief minister reviewed the progress of each component of the ongoing upgrade at the hospital and instructed the Health and Family Welfare Department to pursue the works on priority and to report progress regularly. He also directed officials to expedite the recruitment of specialists.
Accompanied by Additional Chief Secretary Health Sampath Kumar, South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner and senior health officials, the chief minister assessed both infrastructure projects and service delivery at the hospital.
The review revealed that the hospital has shown visible improvement in recent months.
The operation theatre which was made functional in 2025 has conducted 85 surgeries so far, including 42 Caesarean sections.
In 2025, the facility treated 20,108 outpatients and admitted 2,334 inpatients. In the first six months of 2026 alone, outpatient numbers have already crossed 10,143.
Emergency obstetric and C-section services are being provided, and a transit home currently allows four expectant mothers to stay near the hospital before delivery.
Four major works worth about Rs 11.37 crore are underway.
The renovation of the old CHC building, now housing a refurbished OPD, is 85% complete.
A new overhead water tank by PHE is 70% complete at a cost of Rs 0.77 crore.
Renovation of 25 residential quarters for staff is in progress with Rs 3.40 crore sanctioned, while tendering is on for Phase-II to expand the hospital to 70 beds at Rs 4.20 crore.
Following ACS Health’s visit on June 22, several new facilities are being added with Central support.
These include a Neonatal ICU, a blood bank to be operationalised in phases, and an expanded transit home using prefabricated structures to accommodate 10-15 mothers.
A full birth waiting home is also in the pipeline.
An integrated 50-bedded Mother and Child Health wing is planned as well.
The review also covered the proposal to upgrade Chokpot CHC into a First Referral Unit with CEmONC services, blood storage, newborn stabilisation and 24×7 referral support.
To strengthen the number of specialist doctors, the District Health Society has already advertised for a Gynaecologist and a Paediatrician, and efforts are on to strengthen nursing and paramedical staff.
The chief minister underscored the importance of ensuring that these projects result in consistent and quality healthcare for the people of South Garo Hills.
