Shillong, March, 14: The Meghalaya Health Department apprised the Health Minister, Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh about the various ongoing developments in the department aimed at improving the health of citizens in the state on the 13th of March, 2023.
During the meeting, the Health Department officials briefed the health minister on the progress made in the implementation of various health programs and initiatives. The officials highlighted the key achievements of the department in the past years.
This included of coverage for outpatient departments (OPD) under the Megha Health Insurance Scheme, the launch of the Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Project, Meghalayan Medical Drugs and services, Meghalaya Medical Services Recruitment Board, Rescue Mission, and Digitization and Technology in health.
Shri. P. Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary,informed that the health department is guided by a 3-dimensional framework for universal health coverage as per the Meghalaya Health Policy, 2021.
The three dimensions include 1) Preventive care – which includes Demand and supply side interventions, 2) Curative Care – which include Health institutions such as CHCs, PHCs, Sub Centres and 3) Enabling – which includes Policy and Measures.
Through their efforts, the health department is expecting to increase i) the lifespan of the people, ii) health-seeking behavior by the citizens, iii) preventive care and decrease i) out-of-pocket expenses, ii) mortality rate, and iii) curative care and to balance the total fertility rate.
The Health Department officials also informed the Minister about the challenges faced by the department, such as the shortage of healthcare professionals, providing quality healthcare to hard-to-reach areas, and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases due to several risk factors such as smoking, substance abuse, and others.
Speaking after the briefing, the health minister expressed her appreciation for the department’s efforts in improving the health of the people and providing quality health services to all citizens of the state.
Assuring the health officials of the government’s support, the Minister also encouraged them to consider taking suggestions and recommendations from local MLAs who represent their constituencies, as well as focusing on the well-being of the health workers.
The department was represented by Shri. P. Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, Smt. R.M. Kurbah, Secretary, Shri. Ramkumar S, Secretary, Smt. Twinkle Marak, Deputy Secretary, Dr. H.C. Lyndem, Director,DHS(MI), Dr. Y. Phira, Director (Research), Dr. S.S.Nongbri, Director (MCH& FW) among others.
