Jowai, May 21 (Reporter) Meghalaya has emerged as one of the leading states in healthcare investment, with over 8 per cent of the annual state budget—more than Rs. 1,000 crore—dedicated to the health sector, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said on Wednesday. “The government is supporting not only state-run hospitals but also collaborating with church-run and non-profit hospitals,” he said after inaugurating the Hubert Rosario Road in Spein, Mookaswan, West Jaintia Hills district. The newly constructed road is about 1.13 km and was built for Rs. 1.93 crore, which is an approach road to the Hubert Acupressure Centre. Noting that the true value of any development project lies not in its cost but in the lives it touches, the Chief Minister said, “This road may be a Rs. 1.93 crore project in terms of budget, but to me, it is priceless in the way it touches lives—especially those in pain, those seeking healing, and the dedicated sisters providing that healing.” Highlighting developmental initiatives of the government, Sangma informed that the state is investing in the infrastructure sector. “….while only Rs. 659 crore worth of road projects were sanctioned between 1991 and 2018, over Rs. 4,000 crore has been sanctioned in the last seven years alone. Approximately 70 percent of all roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the state have been completed during this period”, he added. The Chief Minister also informed that rural health centers like the Hubert Acupressure Centre are set to be included in the next phase of infrastructure grants. Further, Sangma informed that the government has decided to support traditional healing practices across the state, integrating indigenous knowledge with formal healthcare delivery...////...