KSU urges Ampareen to ensure upgrade of health facilities in SWKH

The Khasi Student Union (KSU) South West Khasi Hills District met the minister in charge of health department Ampareen Lyngdoh to follow up with regard to the up-gradation of various health centres in the district including the 100 bedded CHC in Mawkyrwat.

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Speaking to media persons, president of the KSU SWKHD Forwardman Nongrem claim that the health centres in South West Khasi Hills and Mawsynram C&RD Block of East Khasi Hills District still lack behind hence the union has asked the minister in charge to look into the matter for the benefits of the people of these two regions.

Nongrem informed that when it comes to the 100 bedded CHC in Mawkyrwat, though the CHC was open in December 2022 yet the health centre still lacks basic health services like radiology, surgeons, Intensive Care Unit, Operation Theater Department and ambulances for the patients.

He added that the 100 bedded CHC in Mawkyrwat still lacks manpower which includes in Grade IV, manpower in the Outpatient Department, Staff Nurses and Assistant, security, and other non-medical staff.

The KSU president also informed that the union has asked the minister in charge of health to set up the office of the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) in South West Khasi Hills in order to look into providing health services to the people.

“It has been more than ten years for the South West Khasi Hills District to be recognized as one of the districts in Meghalaya yet till date the district has not had DMHO headquarter to facilitate the doctors and nurses in the region” said Nongrem.

He added that the KSU has urged the minister in charge of health to set up a new Health Sub Centre in Mawhiang, Mawthong and Jyllep village and also to upgrade the Dangar PHC to CHC in order to provide quality health services to the people residing in those areas.

“The meeting with the minister in charge of health was successful as we were informed that the minister will look into all these demands and will get back to the union after two weeks after discussing with the department” he added.

On the other hand, the KSU also urged the minister in charge to provide basic requirements at Wahkaji and Mawsynram CHC like Pharmacist and Ambulances” he added.

Govt proposing new name for SICPAC

Arts and Culture Minister Paul Lyngdoh today said the government is proposing a fresh name for the “SICPAC” or the Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts & Culture.

Lyngdoh told reporters that after conducting an inspection of the SICPAC building yesterday, they found a lot of gaps in what has been committed and what has been achieved.

“Accordingly, we will try to bridge the gaps beginning with the name of the project SICPAC which is not the best of names as we have a lot of sick units around so we will first start with the fresh name of the project as it is going to house the biggest theatre in NE India with a capacity of 1700,” he said.

“A lot of changes will have to be made and the handing over of the project to the state government has not happened till date despite the inauguration which happened last year,” he added.

Further, Lyngdoh said that the first move would be for the department to get the project handed over officially to the government of Meghalaya.

“We will be reviewing this matter at a meeting to which I will invite officers including the chief secretary because it is a very significant milestone for Meghalaya and we will bridge all the gaps in terms of agreements and works undertaken,” he stated.