Baghmara(Meghalaya) , July 9 :Baghmara Civil Hospital in South Garo Hills is set for a major expansion after Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma reviewed its infrastructure and directed officials to complete all ongoing works on priority. The review meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Health Dr. Sampath Kumar, the Deputy Commissioner of South Garo Hills and senior officers of the Health Department.
The Chief Minister said the government is committed to strengthening healthcare in the Garo Hills and asked the department to monitor progress closely to ensure time-bound completion. As part of the upgrade, the state has sanctioned Rs 11.37 crore for four key works at the hospital. These include the renovation of the old CHC building, an overhead water tank by the PHE department, renovation of 25 residential quarters for medical and paramedical staff, and Phase-II development of a 70-bedded hospital which is currently at the tendering stage.
The renovation of the old CHC building, now housing a refurbished outpatient block, has reached 85 percent physical progress and is nearing completion at a cost of Rs 3 crore. The overhead water tank is 70 percent complete with Rs 0.77 crore sanctioned. Work on the 25 residential quarters is underway at Rs 3.40 crore and has achieved 15 percent progress, while the Phase-II project worth Rs 4.20 crore is being tendered.
The hospital has witnessed growing demand for services since its operation theatre was made functional in 2025. In the last year, the OT supported 85 surgeries, including 42 Caesarean sections. The hospital treated 20,108 outpatients and admitted 2,334 inpatients in 2025. In the first half of 2026 alone, it has recorded 10,143 outpatients. The facility currently provides emergency obstetric and Caesarean services and also runs a transit home for expectant mothers to stay close to the hospital before delivery.
To further strengthen services, new facilities being added include a neonatal ICU, a 50-bedded Mother and Child Health wing and a blood bank. Officials said the upgrades are aimed at reducing referrals to Shillong and Tura and ensuring that people in South Garo Hills have access to quality care closer to home.
