Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya is facing a major shortage of medical specialists. Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla told the Legislative Assembly on August 25 that 139 specialist posts remain vacant. Currently, 174 specialists serve in sanctioned roles, while 42 others fill floating or Medical Officer positions.
Doctor availability varies widely across districts. Eastern West Khasi Hills has the thinnest coverage, with one doctor for every 4,958 residents. Meanwhile, East Garo Hills reports the best ratio at one doctor per 2,267 people. The government claims all Primary and Community Health Centres now have working labs. Infrastructure is growing. Officials upgraded seven PHCs and three CHCs over the last three years and finished two new MCH hospitals in Ri-Bhoi and West Khasi Hills.
State security is also under scrutiny. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong confirmed 783 theft cases between January and July 2026. East Khasi Hills remains the primary hotspot, recording 460 of those incidents. This accounts for nearly 59 percent of the state total. Theft is on the rise compared to previous years. The state recorded 1,095 theft cases throughout 2025.
Police caught suspects in only 163 cases through July. Tynsong noted the challenge of investigation, stating, "Suspects were caught in 163 theft cases in 2026 up to July, compared with 332 such cases during 2025." Some districts recorded no arrests for theft at all. Eastern West Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills reported zero cases where police apprehended those responsible.
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