Shillong: The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Meghalaya Chapter, has urged the state government to step in and support the renovation of the Lady Kerr Welfare Centre at Laban, a more than 100-year-old institution that also houses the Red Cross Maternity Home.
The appeal was made during Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s visit to the centre on Wednesday.
He was accompanied by South Shillong MLA Shanbor Shullai, members of the IRCS State Branch, and staff of the welfare centre.
The IRCS highlighted that the centre, established in 1920, has long been serving the poor and marginalised communities by providing child and maternity healthcare, as well as aid during emergencies and crises.
However, the building is now in a dilapidated condition and requires urgent infrastructural development.
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After touring the facility and listening to the concerns of the IRCS, the chief minister acknowledged the organisation’s crucial role in community health.
He stressed that collaboration between the government and community-based health societies could strengthen public health delivery in the state.
Sangma assured that the government would extend support for the centre’s renovation and explore avenues of collaboration to transform it into a central community health asset.
