Shillong, January 24 : In a major stride towards strengthening the primary healthcare system in Meghalaya, 25 doctors were conferred with the Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine (PGDFM) during a convocation ceremony held today at Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital, Shillong. The programme is a flagship capacity-building initiative under the National Health Mission (NHM), in collaboration with Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore.
The graduating batch comprises 22 in-service government doctors serving at the primary and secondary levels, and 3 practising doctors from Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital. The initiative aims to enhance the clinical, diagnostic, and decision-making capacities of doctors working in community and district health facilities.
The PGDFM programme equips doctors with advanced skills in comprehensive family medicine — empowering them to deliver continuity of care, reduce avoidable referrals, and provide quality health services, especially in remote and rural areas.
Joining the event virtually, Dr. Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, hailed the collaboration between CMC Vellore and Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital. He highlighted similar success models in Bihar and Chhattisgarh, where upskilling programmes for doctors have significantly improved primary health systems. He hinted at the government’s plan to standardise the diploma for all primary healthcare doctors in Meghalaya.
Ramkumar S, IAS, Health Secretary, emphasised that the programme’s vision aligns with the “three A’s” of public health — Accessibility, Affordability, and Availability. He noted that Meghalaya’s reliance on public health institutions makes such training critical to bridging the gap between general and specialised medical care. “These doctors will become brand ambassadors of a people-first healthcare model,” he said.
Ramakrishna Chitturi, IAS, Managing Director, NHM Meghalaya, commended the graduates for their pivotal role in transforming the State’s healthcare delivery. He credited improvements in health indicators — such as increased life expectancy and reduced maternal mortality — to such strategic collaborations. “The entire system exists to support you, because what you do on the field is what people experience,” he said.
Dr. Janupribalas S. Momin, Director of Health Services (MI), lauded the doctors’ perseverance and reminded them that with advanced skills comes greater responsibility. “Let your practice be guided by compassion, ethics, and lifelong learning,” she said.
Dr. Kenneth Nongpiur, Medical Superintendent, Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital, described the milestone as a testament to the hard work and vision of the graduates and their mentors. “This programme transforms medical practice from being investigation-based to holistic and patient-centred,” he remarked, while reaffirming the hospital’s century-old legacy of service.
The event began with a prayer and academic proceedings, followed by certificate distribution and a formal oath-taking ceremony led by Dr. Adeline Sitther, Acting Head, Distance Education Unit, CMC Vellore. The graduates pledged to serve humanity with compassion and uphold their alma mater’s motto, “Not to be ministered unto but to minister.”
Four graduates shared their experiences, calling the two-year course a “transformative journey” that helped them merge practical learning with real-world application — shifting their focus from treating diseases to caring for people and families.
The convocation was attended by senior officials from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, NHM Meghalaya, and CMC Vellore, along with faculty, medical professionals, and healthcare administrators.
