Nongpoh, May 8: Health Minister Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, along with Chairman of the State Health Advisory Board Mayral Born Syiem, local legislator of Umsning Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh, and other officials, inspected two incomplete health care institutions in Ri Bhoi District on Monday. The Maternity and Child Health Hospital (MCH) at Niangbyrnai Parila and the Trauma Centre in Nongpoh were the primary focus of the inspection, along with the functional School of GNM at Pahamsyiem.

During the inspection, the Minister took stock of the construction progress and identified areas that require completion to make these institutions operational at the earliest. Lyngdoh also set deadlines for various departments to speed up work and ensure completion as soon as possible.

The Minister informed reporters that the MCH hospital would take some more time to operate as the need for power supply and water supply needs to be addressed. She added that a review meeting would be held on July 10 to assess the operational capacity of the hospital once construction is completed.

Regarding the Trauma Centre, Lyngdoh said it is a vital intervention located on the highway that would provide essential service to the people of Meghalaya. She acknowledged a few hiccups, such as the building being utilized as a COVID-19 center and the DM&HO office being run from the building. However, once the construction of the new DM&HO office is completed, the building would be freed, allowing work on the two Operation Theatres to commence at full swing.

The Health Minister also assured that equipment will be tendered at the earliest to make sure that the operation theatres are fully equipped and functional before Christmas this year. She further added that physical progress is currently at 55 to 60%, and with favourable weather conditions, construction could be completed within the next two to three months.