Shillong: Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla disputes High Court reports of a surge in Acute Respiratory Infection cases in Byrnihat. Court data claims cases spiked from 1,800 in 2021 to 7,284 by 2025. The Minister says official numbers do not support that spike. He plans to verify these figures soon.
Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh reviewed the issue during PIL No. 13/2026. This follows an August 4 inspection by Amicus Curiae Philemon Nongbri. He examined air pollution, the Umtrew River, and the Byrnihat Primary Health Centre.
The court flagged the facility as inadequate. Four doctors work out of three small rooms in a tin-roofed building. The ward holds just six beds with no room for isolation. "There are some cases but not up to that level," Shylla said while addressing the statistics.
The government promises to fix the health center. Officials ordered staff to meet all facility requirements as fast as possible. They remain under court mandate to improve care standards.
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