Shillong, March 14: Meghalaya’s new Health Minister Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday reviewed the ongoing developments aimed at improving the health of the state’s citizens and took overall stock of the Meghalaya Health Department.

During the meeting, department officials provided updates on the progress of various health programs and initiatives, including the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS), Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Project (MHSSP), and Digitization and Technology in Health.

The officials also discussed the department’s three-dimensional framework for universal health coverage, which includes Preventive Care, Curative Care, and Enabling measures.

Through these efforts, the health department hopes to increase the lifespan of citizens, promote health-seeking behavior, decrease out-of-pocket expenses, reduce mortality rates, and balance the total fertility rate.

However, the department faces challenges such as a shortage of healthcare professionals, providing quality healthcare to hard-to-reach areas, and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases due to risk factors such as smoking and substance abuse. Despite these challenges, the Health Minister praised the department’s efforts and encouraged officials to consider suggestions and recommendations from local MLAs and focus on the well-being of health workers.

Department officials in attendance at the meeting included P Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, RM Kurbah, Secretary, Ramkumar S, Secretary, Twinkle Marak, Deputy Secretary, Dr HC Lyndem, Director, DHS(MI), Dr Y Phira, Director (Research), and Dr SS Nongbri, Director (MCH & FW).