HC for alternative site for Shillong Medical College

Shillong, Feb 6: The High Court of Meghalaya is averse to the idea of having Shillong Medical College in New Shillong where NEIGRIHMS is situated.

After disposing of a pending PIL of 2016 regarding health deficiencies in the state, the court observed on Monday, “There is no doubt that the state government will consider the matter whether two super speciality healthcare units in close proximity may not be ideal since other areas in the state are completely bereft of basic healthcare facilities”

Earlier, the counsel appearing for the state said  that the Shillong Medical College will come up in a few years and land for such purpose was proposed to be earmarked in the New Shillong area.

One of the appearing parties suggested that the proposed Shillong Medical College be constructed on the other side of town and may even be close to Umiam since New Shillong already has the super speciality facility in NEIGRIHMS.

The state also submitted that the Tura Medical College is under construction and the contractor has been persuaded to expedite the work. It is hoped that the Medical College in Tura and the proposed Shillong Medical College are completed for functioning as expeditiously as possible, the court said.

According to the court, basic healthcare facilities cannot be ignored with the excuse that adequate funds may not be available.

“All citizens are entitled basic healthcare facilities and expect the same from the state, which the state is obliged to provide”, the order said.

Though the PIL was closed, if major deficiencies come to light or the state government fails in its promised endeavour to augment healthcare facilities in Meghalaya, future proceedings may be initiated, the court added.

Court to monitor Shillong-Dawki road 

Hearing another PIL moved by senior advocate Kaustav Paul, the court asserted that it will monitor the progress of the Shillong-Dawki road.

Though the PIL was on tree felling, the court narrated other issues, including land acquisition which may delay the project but it wanted the government to clear the hurdles.