Expressing serious concern over the alleged negligence of the state government and the Health Department, in providing doctors at two health centres, the youth of the Mawhati area have threatened to closed the Mawhati PHC and Mawlasnai PHC if doctors are not immediately appointed along with the supply of essential medicines. Regarding the shortage of doctors at these two Primary Health Centres (PHCs), a group of youths from Mawhati met the District Medical & Health Officer (DM&HO) in Nongpoh and submitted a memorandum demanding the urgent deployment of doctors at both facilities.
Speaking to the media, Shanlang Diengdoh and Donald Muktieh expressed deep concern over the difficulties faced by residents of the Mawhati area, which comprises hundreds of villages, as they has been suffering due to the prolonged absence of doctors at Mawhati and Mawlasnai PHCs, as well as the lack of adequate medicines. They also said that, many patients visiting these health centres are often forced to return without treatment due to the absence of MBBS doctors or Medical Officers, which has created significant hardship, especially for people from economically weaker sections who are compelled to seek treatment in Umsning and other places including Shillong.
“It is meaningless if the state government focuses only on development projects while neglecting to improve public healthcare services, especially in rural areas,” the youths said, urging the DM&HO to escalate the matter to higher authorities.