Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a 10-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Merengipara in South West Garo Hills district, marking a major step towards strengthening decentralised healthcare in the region under the National AYUSH Mission.
The project, approved for the 2025–26 financial year with a total outlay of Rs. 7 crore, will include 35 new posts, comprising AYUSH doctors, nurses and yoga instructors.
The facility will also provide inpatient services, addressing a long-standing gap in healthcare delivery in the area, which has so far been largely limited to outpatient care.
Speaking at the programme, the chief minister said the hospital reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare in remote and border areas, with a focus on accessibility, dignity and trust.
He said the facility would play a key role in youth wellness and de-addiction initiatives, adding that a healthy youth population is essential for a resilient Meghalaya.
He said the hospital would serve not only Merengipara but also surrounding areas, and would focus on holistic and lifestyle-related treatments, with future scope for integrating traditional systems of medicine and indigenous medical knowledge.
The chief minister also highlighted improvements in road connectivity in border regions through various state and central government schemes, and said surveys would be initiated to identify the need for bypass roads to ease daily movement, particularly in areas affected by evening border gate closures.
On the education front, he reiterated that education remains a top government priority, noting that a Science and Commerce College has already started functioning in the area and urging students to enrol from the current academic year.
He also referred to the importance of public vigilance and cooperation in border areas in view of developments in neighbouring Bangladesh.
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Emphasising the government’s focus on entrepreneurship, he cited local initiatives such as Awang Chips and Nokma Ice Cream as examples of sustainable community-based enterprises that generate income and employment, and reiterated the long-term vision of developing the region into a hub of economic and industrial activity.
The programme was attended by Mahendraganj MLA Sanjay A. Sangma, Salmanpara MLA Ian Botham M. Sangma, senior officials and local dignitaries.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of South West Garo Hills Anendya Raajshree described the project as a significant milestone for the district, while SDMHO Dr Lydia Marak said the hospital would function not only as a treatment centre but also as a wellness and awareness hub.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by In-charge DMCHO Dr Noreen Sangma.
