By: Adv. Kerlang Ksoo, Dkhiah West village, East Jaintia Hills District
Even after more than a decade of being declared a full-fledged district, the condition of the health sector in East Jaintia Hills remains disheartening and unsatisfactory. It is deeply ironic that a district which is known to be one of the wealthiest in Meghalaya in terms of mineral resources and one which contributes enormously to the state’s revenue, continues to be neglected in one of the most vital areas of human development — healthcare.
To the eyes of those in power, East Jaintia Hills seems to exist merely as a resource-generating ground — a district that fills the state’s coffers but receives little in return. The district headquarters, which boasts of a Civil Hospital, lacks most basic infrastructure and essential amenities required to provide adequate healthcare to the general public. In most medical emergencies, patients are compelled to travel long distances to Jowai or Shillong for treatment — a journey that not everyone can afford, both in terms of cost and time.
This persistent failure raises a serious question: is the problem rooted in the lack of infrastructure, shortage of manpower, or the incompetence of those entrusted with the responsibility of public service? The situation in the rural areas paints an even grimmer picture. Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Sub-Centres are understaffed, ill-equipped, and unable to deliver even basic medical care. The ultimate victims of this failure are the ordinary citizens — especially the poor, who cannot afford private treatment or long-distance travel for medical attention.
For families with stable financial backgrounds, accessing health facilities outside the district is a manageable inconvenience. But for the economically weaker sections, the absence of reliable healthcare within the district often turns ailments into life-threatening conditions. This disparity exposes a deep-rooted injustice in the way public health resources are distributed and managed.
Adding to the injury, the Hon’ble Health Minister — often seen attending public events and social functions across the state — has shown little to no initiative in visiting or inspecting the ground realities of East Jaintia Hills. While social media is flooded with images of official visits and ceremonies, the people here continue to suffer silently. If only such enthusiasm were shown in strengthening the health infrastructure of the district, it would have been a true service to the people.
It is equally unfortunate that while the government continues to spend hundreds of crores annually in organizing festivals and concerts under the pretext of promoting tourism, there seems to be no comparable effort or budget allocation for healthcare development — a sector that forms the backbone of human welfare and is by all means, a fundamental right of every citizen.
East Jaintia Hills deserves better — not as a token of political favour, but as a matter of justice and humanity. The people of this district have contributed immensely to the state’s prosperity; it is only fair that the state returns that contribution in the form of robust, accessible and reliable healthcare.
Until that happens, the mineral-rich East Jaintia Hills will continue to be a tragic symbol of misplaced priorities — where wealth is extracted from the ground but the health of its people is left to decay.
Discussion about this post