SHILLONG, March 27: Meghalaya is still facing a shortage of 150 specialist doctors which the Minister in-charge Health and Family Welfare Ampareen Lyngdoh termed it as a cause of concern for the government.

Replying in the Assembly on Monday, Lyngdoh informed that the state has a total sanctioned strength of 375 specialist doctors of which 227 are in position today.

She said that in the latest recruitment process conducted by the Medical Recruitment Board, about 397 new medical officers were recruited of which 83 are specialist doctors.

“However, still there is a gap of 150 specialist doctors in the state which indeed is a cause of concern,” Lyngdoh said while assuring the House that the government is on the job to look into the matter urgently.

On the request made by the UDP legislator from Nongpoh Mayralborn Syiem for setting up of a medical college in Ri Bhoi, being an aspirational district in the state, the health minister said the proposal is under active consideration by the government.

Lyngdoh also informed that the government is also intending to establish more health institutions like PHC, sub centres by allocating more capital expenditure.