Shillong, April 29: The Meghalaya government is considering changes to its medical bond policy to ensure that doctors return to serve in the state, amid an acute shortage of specialists, particularly in rural areas.
Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said the government is reviewing the existing system after observing that many MBBS students sponsored by the state do not return for postings after completing their studies. “We are exploring if we could come up with a change in the bond policy because most of the issues we found is that although we send students every year, many of them don’t come back, especially for rural postings,” Shylla told reporters.
He said the proposed changes aim to make it mandatory for medical graduates to serve in Meghalaya after completing their studies.Highlighting progress in medical education, the minister noted that the first batch of MBBS students has commenced at Shillong Medical College this year, marking a significant step forward for the state’s healthcare sector. Shylla also said the government is working to upgrade nursing schools into full-fledged nursing colleges to expand opportunities and strengthen the healthcare workforce.
To address the shortage of specialists in rural areas, the department has started sending doctors for short-term training courses to enhance their skills. On funding, the minister stated that Meghalaya currently allocates around 8 percent of its total budget to the health sector, the highest in the country. He added that per capita health expenditure in the state exceeds ₹7,000 annually, which is about double the national average of ₹3,500.
Despite these efforts, Shylla acknowledged persistent challenges, including gaps in infrastructure, manpower shortages, lack of equipment, and issues related to public awareness and healthcare access. “There are many challenges, including infrastructure, manpower, equipment, and also issues like stigma and people not coming for timely check-ups,” he said.
However, the minister maintained that the state is moving in the right direction, expressing confidence that continued government support and planned reforms will improve healthcare delivery. On the setting up of drug rehabilitation centres, Shylla said work has already begun in some districts, while progress in others is being hindered due to lack of land and building infrastructure.
