Shillong, Oct 26 (Reporter) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Saturday noted that the health sector in the state is a great challenge, but said that there a been a significant improvement in the sector. Speaking at a programme celebrating the approval of National Medical Commission (NMC) to P A Sangma International Medical College and Hospital (PIMC) in Baridua village, Sangma outlined the measures to improve the health sector in terms of infrastructure, services, equipment, human resources and their training and skilling, streamlining the supply and distribution of medicines with the help of technology etc. PIMC named after former Lok Sabha Speaker is the first private medical college in Meghalaya. Infact, Meghalaya doesn’t have a state-run medical college, except North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences medical college, which is a central government institute. “The government believes that saving even one life matters and giving the basic health services is essential therefore the budgetary allocation to the Health sector in the state is large making it the highest budgetary allocation in the country,” the Chief Minister said. Congratulating USTM on the achievement also expressed gratitude to Union Health & Family Welfare Minister, J P Nadda and the officials in the Ministry of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, for their support and help said that the approval for 150 seat medical college has been achieved after a lot of struggle and perseverance. “I was a part of the process in 2008 when the USTM Bill was passed and the present USTM is a testimony of team work, values and leadership,” he said. “P A Sangma, believed in the investing in youth and that the greatest investment a government can make is in its youth because the results of such investments are unlimited,” he said. He added that lives of great leaders like Late P A Sangma, Late Dr Donkupar Roy etc are inspirational because they have stood out against all odds and difficulties of life. Recalling the younger days of Late P A Sangma that he heard from his mother Soradini Sangma, the Chief Minister said, “Lives of people like P A Sangma and Dr Donkupar Roy can inspire younger generations and it is important that the youth today not only remember their legacy but learn from their humble beginnings and their humility and the values and the principles these leaders stood for.” Congratulating USTM on the achievement and on the growth of the university, the Chief Minister said that there should be no compromise on quality and hard work and to set a bench mark for itself. Earlier, Chancellor, USTM, Mahbubul Hoque announced that a dental college will be established in the memory of former Chief Minister, Late Dr Donkupar Roy. Students of the university presented colourful cultural performances to mark the celebratory occasion...////...