SHILLONG, SEPT 21: Health and education are “sticky subjects” where investments take five to ten years to show results, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said on Monday.
Sangma was speaking after inaugurating the 50-bed annex at the District Maternity and Child Hospital (DMCH), Tura and launching Mother and Child Care Kits for beneficiaries.
“It is not only about spending funds but ensuring expenditure translates into measurable outcomes. Health and education are sticky subjects. Investments made today will yield visible results only after five to ten years,” the Chief Minister said.
He said since 2018, the government has given top priority to the social sector, with health, education and social welfare accounting for nearly one-fourth of the state budget. Education alone gets around Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500 crore annually.
Congratulating the Health Department, Sangma said saving lives is a collective responsibility.
He said Meghalaya has recorded the highest reduction in maternal mortality in the country at 55 per cent, but the target must be zero maternal and child deaths.
“Healthcare is not merely about prescribing medicines but about saving lives,” he said, urging health professionals to stay motivated despite challenges.
Sangma said Meghalaya’s Mother and Child Health Model has received national recognition and he has been invited to present it before the Prime Minister, which he described as a proud moment for the state.
Several healthcare projects are in the pipeline under PM-DevINE and further expansion of the Mother and Child Hospital is planned, he added.Additional Chief Secretary Sampath Kumar said the government’s sustained focus on healthcare in the last six to seven years is now reflecting in human development indicators.
“Our objective is to bring both Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to single-digit levels. Along with infrastructure, we are focusing on community mobilization by involving traditional institutions, strengthening grassroots systems and effective use of referral vehicles to save mothers and children,” Kumar said.
The new annex is expected to reduce overcrowding and improve care for mothers and children in Garo Hills.
The programme was attended by Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal, Director of Health Services (MCH & FW) P Chyne and other senior officials.
