Shillong : Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday reviewed the ongoing development works at Baghmara Civil Hospital in South Garo Hills and directed officials to expedite all projects to ensure improved and reliable healthcare services for residents.
Accompanied by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Dr. Sampath Kumar, the Deputy Commissioner of South Garo Hills and senior Health Department officials, the Chief Minister inspected the hospital’s infrastructure upgrades and reviewed the progress of healthcare service delivery.
The hospital has witnessed significant improvements over the past year. Its operation theatre, which became functional in 2025, has already facilitated 85 surgeries, including 42 Caesarean sections. During 2025, the hospital treated 20,108 outpatients and admitted 2,334 patients.
The demand for healthcare services continues to rise, with 10,143 outpatients recorded during the first six months of 2026. The hospital now provides emergency obstetric and Caesarean section services, while a transit home currently accommodates four expectant mothers awaiting delivery.
Infrastructure development worth nearly Rs 11.37 crore is currently underway. Renovation of the former Community Health Centre building, which now houses a refurbished outpatient department, has reached 85 per cent completion.
Construction of a new overhead water tank by the Public Health Engineering Department has reached 70 per cent completion at a cost of Rs 77 lakh. Renovation of 25 residential quarters for medical and paramedical staff, sanctioned at Rs 3.40 crore, is also progressing.
Tendering is underway for Phase II of the hospital expansion, which will increase its capacity to 70 beds at an estimated cost of Rs 4.20 crore.
Following a review by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Dr. Sampath Kumar on June 22, several new healthcare initiatives are also being implemented under Central Government schemes. These include the establishment of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), with equipment procurement and staff training already initiated.
A blood bank will be made operational in phases, while the existing transit home for expectant mothers will be expanded using prefabricated structures to accommodate 10 to 15 women. Plans are also underway to establish a full-fledged birth waiting home and an integrated 50-bedded Mother and Child Health Wing.
During the review meeting, officials also discussed upgrading Chokpot Community Health Centre into a First Referral Unit (FRU) to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care, along with a blood storage unit, newborn stabilisation unit and 24×7 referral services.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need to expedite the recruitment of specialist doctors. The District Health Society has already advertised vacancies for a Gynaecologist and a Paediatrician, while efforts are ongoing to strengthen the hospital’s nursing and paramedical workforce.
“These works must translate into reliable, good quality care for the people of South Garo Hills,” the Chief Minister said, directing the Health and Family Welfare Department to treat all projects as a priority and submit regular progress reports.