Shillong, November 6, 2025: A review of the Tura Maternity and Child Hospital (MCH) was held on Nov 5, 2025, led by the Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Dr. Sampath Kumar, IAS, along with Dr. Joram Beda IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department; Dr. Balas Momin, DHS-MI, Smt. Richa Kulkarni, IAS, SDO-Tura, and Dr. Bollen S Sangma, Medical Superintendent, MCH Tura.
The team was informed that the Tura Maternity and Child Hospital (MCH) facility has been upgraded with the addition of a new wing with 50 bed strength as well as establishment of the first public Neonatal Intensive Care unit (NICU) and strengthening of the Special newborn care unit (SNCU). This facility will be inaugurated before Christmas, as per the priority set by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri Conrad K Sangma. All these efforts aim to improve maternal and infant health indicators through development of capacity at the Tura MCH.
A consultative meeting was also held with private hospitals of the Garo Hills region, chaired by Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner, Health & Family Welfare Department.
Various senior administrators and specialists including Dr. Paul P. Francis – pediatrician, Dr. Suzie, Gynecologist, Jengjal CHC, Dr. Dilla K. Sangma, Gynecologist, Tura Christian Hospital, Sr. Claire- Gynecologist and Dr. Michael- Pediatrician, Holy Cross Hospital, agreed on the importance of unified efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths through public-private collaboration. Support for the treatment of poor patients at the private hospitals under the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme (CMSMS) is also slated to be formalised to ensure that maternal cases referred from government health facilities receive cashless and timely care. Severe anemia was flagged as a persistent, high-impact risk, and will be a priority focus. Hospitals will intensify early screening during ANC, ensure a steady supply of Iron Sucrose (with Ferrous Ascorbate as an option), and run targeted outreach in vulnerable communities.
To raise maternal health service standards in Tura MCH and to assist the Medical Superintendent, the State has deputed a maternal and child health specialist through the World Bank supported Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Project (MHSSP) for the last 4 months to provide expert inputs and independent quality reviews.
It may be mentioned that the State has introduced Outcome-Based Budgeting (OBB) to decentralise health budgets to Directorates, Districts, and individual Health Facilities, to enhance autonomy and link resources to results and accountability at every level.