Meghalaya's Institutional Delivery Rate Reaches 81%: Minister Reports

Shillong, India Aug 28, 2026 ALN: Shillong: Meghalaya’s institutional delivery rate has risen to 81%, according to the latest Health Management Information System (HMIS) data. This marks an increase from the 65.6% recorded in the National Family Health Survey-6, as informed by Health and Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla during an Assembly session on Friday.

Shylla noted that the NFHS-6 figure represents a 12.9 percentage point improvement over the 58.1% recorded in NFHS-5. The government aims to increase institutional deliveries to at least 95% within the next three years, surpassing the national average of 90%.

“The institutional delivery of Meghalaya stands at 81% at present,” Shylla stated, expressing confidence that the state would reach or exceed the national average by the next NFHS.

However, the minister acknowledged ongoing challenges in ensuring that women deliver in health institutions, particularly due to difficult terrain, long distances, limited transport, and shortages of specialist doctors.

In response to Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh, Shylla revealed that three Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the state are currently operating without a Medical Officer. While most sanctioned Medical Officer posts have been filled, the state continues to face a shortage of specialists. Recruitment drives have been conducted, but participation has been limited.

Shylla explained that even when doctors are posted to the three PHCs without Medical Officers, they often do not report for duty. He assured the House that efforts are being made to fill these vacancies promptly.

The minister highlighted several government interventions that have contributed to improvements in maternal and child health. Maternal deaths have reportedly fallen by more than 56%, while infant deaths have declined by over 40% based on data from 2020-21.

To enhance tracking, the government has introduced an online system through the Mother App, which allows health workers to monitor high-risk pregnancies and expected delivery dates at the village level.

Under the Chief Minister Safe Motherhood Scheme, women receive free transportation not only for delivery but also for antenatal and postnatal care. Last year, over one lakh trips were made under this scheme.

The scheme also provides transit homes for pregnant women traveling from remote areas, along with financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per delivery for trained traditional birth attendants.

Shylla mentioned that sonogram facilities have been expanded, increasing the number of machines in the state from 23 to 85, with plans for further additions.

Despite these advancements, the shortage of specialists, particularly in maternal and child healthcare, remains a significant challenge. VPP MLA Heavingstone Kharpran raised concerns about the lack of gynaecologists, paediatricians, and anaesthetists affecting maternal and child health services.

“Yes, definitely,” Shylla confirmed, acknowledging that adequate manpower is crucial for improving institutional deliveries and emergency maternal care.

Currently, five First Referral Units (FRUs) are functional in the state, with three more under construction. However, the minister did not provide specific details on the availability of specialist manpower at each FRU or their distance from remote areas.

In response to Ampati MLA Miani D Shira, Shylla stated that the government is working to make three Mother and Child Health (MCH) hospitals in South West Garo Hills, Nongstoin, and Ri-Bhoi fully operational. OPD services have already commenced at the Nongstoin and Umsing facilities through temporary arrangements, while recruitment of staff is ongoing.

Shylla emphasized that reasons for women opting for home deliveries extend beyond healthcare infrastructure. Traditional preferences, reliance on local birth attendants, family decision-making, difficult terrain, scattered settlements, long distances, and transport costs are significant factors.

Concerns regarding referral and surgical interventions, as well as preferences for familiar or female healthcare providers, also influence these decisions.

The minister provided a district-wise assessment based on NFHS-6, identifying West Garo Hills as the best overall performer, followed by South Garo Hills and East Garo Hills. However, some indicators, such as antenatal care, remain areas of concern.

West Khasi Hills was noted as the weakest-performing district, exhibiting low institutional deliveries, high stunting, and high child marriage rates despite high antenatal care coverage. West Jaintia Hills also showed weaknesses across several maternal and reproductive health indicators.

South West Khasi Hills was flagged for attention due to poor institutional delivery rates and high stunting, despite strong antenatal care contact. East Khasi Hills also demonstrated weaker performance across various health service indicators.

Responding to concerns raised by MLA Rakkam A Sangma regarding delays in transporting pregnant women, Shylla admitted that not all PHCs and CHCs currently have functional ambulances and sonogram machines. He cited an instance where a woman from Baghmara was referred to Tura but delivered en route, resulting in the baby's death.

Shylla acknowledged that delayed referrals and failure to reach health facilities in time are major contributors to maternal and infant deaths. The government is therefore seeking to strengthen ambulance services across health facilities and assured the House that the issue would be thoroughly examined.

Furthermore, the number of transit homes in the state has reached 117. Shylla noted that the gap between rural and urban institutional deliveries has narrowed since NFHS-4, although he did not provide exact figures.

In response to a query from Chokpot MLA Sengchim N Sangma about healthcare access in geographically challenging areas, he stated that the government would consider enhancing delivery facilities, manpower, ambulance services, and referral mechanisms.

The government’s target remains to increase institutional deliveries to at least 95%.