Shillong: Chief minister Conrad K Sangma has said ‘close to home’ healthcare facilities are a priority with the state govt. Sangma made the remarks on Wednesday after reviewing the progress of works at the Baghmara Civil Hospital in South Garo Hills with additional chief secretary (health) Sampath Kumar, deputy commissioner Sumit Kumar Singh and health officials.“Good healthcare close to home remains one of our foremost commitments to the people of the Garo Hills,” the CM said.“Baghmara Civil Hospital is being strengthened into a dependable centre of care for the people of South Garo Hills, with ongoing works worth over Rs 11 crore. A refurbished outpatient block is almost ready, an overhead water tank is coming up, and staff quarters are being renovated,” Sangma said.“We are also adding a neonatal intensive care unit, a 50-bedded mother and child health wing and a blood bank, and upgrading the Chokpot Community Health Centre into a first referral unit,” he said.The operation theatre at the hospital, made functional in 2025, has supported 85 surgeries, of which 42 Caesarean sections. The hospital served 20,108 outpatients and admitted 2,334 inpatients in 2025, and recorded 10,143 outpatients in the first half of 2026.The hospital provides emergency obstetric and Caesarean services, and a transit home allows expectant mothers to stay close to the facility ahead of delivery. “Have directed the team to complete every work on priority and with quality,” the CM said.Sangma also directed officials to expedite recruitment process in a bid to address the shortage of specialist doctors and also strengthen nursing and paramedical services. The district health cociety has advertised for a gynaecologist and a paediatrician.
