Meghalaya Strengthens Maternal & Child Healthcare with the inauguration of a 50-bed annex at District Maternity & Child Hospital, Tura

2026-09-21 07:38:38 Health and Fitness

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Tura, September 21, 2026: In a major step towards strengthening maternal and child healthcare in the Garo Hills, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Honourable Chief Minister of Meghalaya, today inaugurated the expanded 150-bed District Maternity & Child Hospital (DMCH) at Tura, as part of the expansion of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) facility.

Hosted under the theme “A Solemn Celebration of Maternal & Child Health,” the event highlighted Meghalaya’s continuing efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, improve access to quality maternal and child care and reduce preventable deaths among mothers and children.

The expansion builds on a broader healthcare strategy that includes the MOTHER (Measurable Outcomes in Transforming Health Sector through a Holistic Approach with a Focus on Women Empowerment) programme, Rescue Mission and the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme, along with initiatives focused on high-risk pregnancies, institutional deliveries, maternal and child nutrition and improved referral systems.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Honourable Chief Minister of Meghalaya, said the expansion addresses an important infrastructure need and reflects the importance accorded by the State to maternal and child health. “It’s a very important step, especially keeping in mind the importance that we give to the health of mother and child. But more importantly, we are on expansion mode,” he said.

Emphasising the goal that healthcare systems must ultimately protect every mother and child, Hon’ble Chief Minister said, “We don't want even a single mother to lose her life. We don't want a single child to lose his or her life.” He said the State is working on further expansion of civil hospitals, district hospitals and mother and child hospitals. Under PM-DevINE, he said Meghalaya expects approximately ₹750–800 crore in project funding over the next five years and has consciously decided to direct most of these projects towards health. Tura, Shillong and Jowai are among the locations identified for major hospital infrastructure investments.

Shri Sampath Kumar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, said the inauguration marks a critical milestone in strengthening tertiary healthcare infrastructure in the region. He highlighted the State Government’s sustained commitment to healthcare over the past six to seven years and noted that Meghalaya is currently allocating more than 8% of its total budget to healthcare.

He highlighted key health outcomes achieved through sustained interventions, including a reduction of more than 55% in maternal mortality, over 40% in infant mortality and nearly 10 percentage points in stunting reduction over the past five years. Reaffirming the State’s vision of achieving single-digit maternal and infant mortality rates, on par with Kerala, he outlined interventions including the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme, transit homes for high-risk pregnant mothers, community childcare support through self-help groups, Mother-Baby Kits to encourage institutional deliveries and Mission 1000 Days focused on maternal and child nutrition.

From the clinical perspective, Dr. Dylan G. Momin, Specialist Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, Tura Maternity & Child Hospital, said the facility has been facing considerable pressure, catering to more than 100 pregnant women, in addition to gynaecological and paediatric cases. He said the expanded capacity will ease the burden and strengthen the hospital’s role as the referral centre for difficult and high-risk cases from across the Garo Hills. He also appreciated the financial support provided through government schemes such as CMHIS and the availability of advanced equipment, including laparoscopy facilities. “Lots of patients have benefited a lot because now we are working as a team,” he said.

At the frontline, Anna Merry Ch. Marak, Staff Nurse, Tura Maternity & Child Hospital, said the increased capacity has significantly improved the management of ante-natal, post-natal and high-risk patients, who earlier had to be accommodated together because of limited beds. She noted that regular training, updated protocols, advanced technology and team-based care have strengthened their ability to manage patients, while counselling has helped mothers with newborn care and breastfeeding. She also highlighted the impact of the Safe Motherhood Scheme kits and Chief Minister Mother & Child Care Kits, which provide essential items for both mothers and babies, as well as ambulance and other government-supported services that have reduced the burden on families.

Hon’ble Chief Minister also formally unveiled the plaque at the New OPD building, officially opening the enhanced facility to the public.

A major highlight of the programme was the Distribution Ceremony of the Chief Minister Mother & Child Care Kits, with the Chief Minister personally distributing the kits to post-natal mothers in the hospital wards. The kits are intended to provide practical support during the immediate postnatal period and contribute to safer, healthier beginnings for newborns.