As committed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad. K Sangma during the previously held CM-Connect programme at Nongstoin, the upgradation and operationalisation of the Maternal & Child Health (MCH) Hospital will be completed before Christmas. To move this commitment into execution, a spot review of the soon-to-be operational facility was conducted on Nov 6, 2025, led by Shri Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, with senior officials from DHS(MCH&FW), the district administration, and the health department. The review team consisted of Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kharsohnoh, Director of Health Services (MCH & FW); Dr. E. War, Joint Director of Health Services (MI); Dr. (Mrs.) M.K. Sohliya, District Medical & Health Officer, West Khasi Hills District; Shri V. Swer, M.C.S., Additional Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District; Shri R. Kharkongor, Block Development Officer, Mawshynrut Block; Shri E. Pala, Sub-Divisional Officer, HEW, West Khasi Hills District; Dr. T. Syiem, Specialist; Dr. R. Marwein, Jr. Specialist, and other district officials.
The Principal Secretary reviewed the ongoing renovation and modification works undertaken in preparation for the operationalisation of the hospital. It was noted that most of the renovation works for the OPD and Laboratory Complex, Emergency Unit, Labour Room, ICU, NICU, and OT Complex have been completed, with only minor additions remaining. A review meeting was also held with the officials to finalise the Human Resources, delivery of essential equipment, medical supplies, and other necessary arrangements for the full operationalisation of the hospital. Shri Sampath Kumar emphasised that every effort should be made to maximise the utilisation of the hospital’s facilities for the benefit of the people of the district, especially considering the high prevalence of maternal and infant mortality in West Khasi Hills District. The Principal Secretary also stressed that while adherence to norms and standards must be ensured, it should not come at the cost of denying timely and specialised services to the public. During the discussions, it was also proposed that the establishment of a District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) at the MCH Hospital, Nongstoin, would further enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide child health services.
Meanwhile, in line with the State’s priority to reduce maternal and child deaths across Meghalaya, field visits are underway to review the MCH scenario across the State and close last-mile gaps. As part of this, a field visit was also undertaken to Umwali (Mawshynrut Block) on Nov 6, 2025, led by the Principal Secretary and supported by the teams from district administration, health department, Social Welfare Department, Community & Rural Development (NRLM-MSRLS) Department and field functionaries from the Village Organization (VO) and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs). Actions initiated include: Aadhaar enrolment camps for inclusion into entitlements; linking out-of-school adolescent girls to SHG-led livelihood training through MPOWER/NRLM; operationalising CMSMS-supported child-care assistance for mothers using transit homes; strengthening family, ASHA and health worker communication and referral follow-up; and community sensitisation on maternal health with a shared pledge, that ‘No Mother Should Die.’