Shillong, Feb 19: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma opened Apollo Trinity Medical Centreu in the city on Wednesday.
Also present were Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, Chief Secretary,D P Wahlang and Rana Dasgupta, Regional CEO – East, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited. The health Center is a collaboration with Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited.
In his address, the chief minister expressed pride in witnessing the completion of the Apollo Trinity Medical Centre and spoke about his personal involvement in the project from its inception stage.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services, highlighting that Meghalaya spends nearly 9% of its total budget on healthcare–the highest in the country. He acknowledged the need for better diagnostic services and expressed hope that the new center would help reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for citizens who often have to travel outside the state for medical tests and treatments.
“The health sector has been a priority for our government. From rural healthcare to medical infrastructure, we have made significant progress. This facility will bridge many gaps in our medical ecosystem and bring quality healthcare closer to the people,” he said.
The chief minister also spoke about initiatives to improve healthcare in the state, such as the recruitment of 500 doctors, the introduction of solar-powered sub-centres, and the digitization of medical records. He stressed the importance of proper diagnostics and patient care, urging the medical professionals at the center to ensure compassionate service.
He also acknowledged the challenges in maintaining Shillong’s environment and pledged government support for infrastructure improvements, including cleaning up drains and beautifying the city. He concluded by thanking Apollo Hospitals and Trinity Healthcare for bringing the project to life.
In her speech, the health minister Ampareen Lyngdoh stressed on the transformation of the site, which was once an open playground, into a world-class medical center. She emphasized the necessity of the facility, noting that high costs of traveling for medical treatments outside the state had been a financial burden for many families. She stated that this center would offer hope to those in need, ensuring that quality healthcare was available within Meghalaya itself.
She spoke of the economic impact of healthcare expenses, pointing out that many local residents, particularly those from economically weaker sections, often had to sell land or assets to afford medical treatments outside the state. She stressed on the importance of having a top-tier medical facility within Shillong to bridge such financial stress.
Lyngdoh also urged local authorities and community leaders to collaborate in supporting the center, stressing the importance of teamwork between government bodies and private entities and suggested the inclusion of a rehabilitation and therapy center within the Apollo Trinity Medical Centre, emphasizing that such a facility would aid patients recovering from major ailments like cardiology and oncology-related treatments. She noted that access to follow-up therapies for nearby residents would greatly benefit patients and improve overall healthcare outcomes in the region.
The chief secretary provided an insightful historical perspective on Shillong’s prominence as a medical hub in the early 20th century and urged all stakeholders to maintain the highest standards of healthcare delivery and to ensure that Apollo Trinity Medical Centre serves as a beacon of hope and medical excellence in Meghalaya.
Rana Dasgupta, Regional CEO – East, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, reaffirmed Apollo’s commitment to providing world-class healthcare in Meghalaya. He underscored Apollo’s focus on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the importance of early diagnosis. He emphasized patient-centric care, quick diagnostic reports, and high-quality treatment as the center’s priorities.
The Apollo Trinity Medical Centre is equipped with advanced diagnostic services, including ECG, TMT, echocardiography, pulmonary function tests (PFT), ultrasound, X-ray, dental care, ophthalmology, physiotherapy, and an integrated lab linked with Apollo Diagnostics. The radiology department is connected to Apollo Tele Radiology International, ensuring expert consultations and reports.
In the second phase of expansion, the center plans to introduce dialysis, endoscopy, CT scans, and MRI services. A dedicated patient app will be launched for appointment bookings, home sample collections, and access to digital medical records, reducing waiting times and improving efficiency.
The center also aims to offer telemedicine consultations with top Apollo specialists from Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati, further expanding access to expert medical advice.
The center was formally launched in December 2024 with a blessing ceremony led by Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh and Fr Richard M Majaw, and Wednesday’s inauguration marks the beginning of its full-scale operations.
