Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the State Veterinary Hospital in Upper Shillong.
Also present during the occasion were Minister, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Shanbor Shullai, MLA, Mylliem Constituency, Ronnie V Lyngdoh, Chief Secretary, Dr Shakil Ahammad and officials from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department.
In his address, Chief Minister Sangma emphasised the need for as comprehensive ecosystem beyond individual schemes in the veterinary department with a focus on animal husbandry and creating a systematic approach.
“The larger purpose and goal should be to create livelihoods and to minimise demand and supply differences through systematic efforts,” he said.
The Chief Minister described the state veterinary hospital as the hub with the district and the subdivision headquarters as spokes adding, “This hospital cannot function if we do not have the hub and spoke system strengthening infrastructure including machines, equipment, medicines and manpower at all levels.”
Further, he also emphasised on the importance of achieving goals and targets in a step-by-step, phase-wise manner.
He outlined the need to have a comprehensive plan detailing the veterinary department’s plans for the next five years.
Sangma also urged the department to take initiative and create opportunities for entrepreneurship and investment.
Concluding his speech, he stressed on a clear timeline and quality control in the project. “Let us ensure that this veterinary hospital is one of the best hospitals and research centres in the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary sector for the entire North East,” he said.
The State Veterinary Hospital is a landmark investment of nearly Rs 65 crore on around 161 acres of departmental land defining the commitment of the government to animal health, farmer prosperity and a self-reliant rural economy.
The existing State Veterinary Hospital has served Meghalaya for many years, but is now constrained by space and infrastructure limitations. More than 25 percent of the cases attended every day are referrals from different parts of the State, a clear sign that a stronger, modern, State-level referral institution is needed.
The new hospital will serve as an apex referral institution, strengthening veterinary services at the district, block and village levels across Meghalaya.
The hospital will also offer modern, specialised veterinary care, advanced diagnostics, radiology and imaging, surgery, orthopaedics, inpatient services, laboratory facilities and pharmacy all under one roof.
