Setting a clear yet nuanced tone on cross-border healthcare concerns, Meghalaya Minister-in-Charge of Health and Family Welfare Wailadmiki Shylla has said that healthcare, by its very nature, transcends boundaries, even as he underlined that law and order cannot be compromised. Responding to a query on whether Bangladeshi nationals might be entering Meghalaya through unfenced stretches of the international border to seek medical treatment, the minister said he was not aware of any such specific reports at present. His remarks come against the backdrop of Meghalaya’s recent push to strengthen its public healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural and remote areas, which has significantly improved access to quality medical services.
It may be mentioned that around 40 kms of the international border with Bangladesh remains unfenced, raising periodic concerns over cross-border movement.
Highlighting the progress made by the state, Shylla said Meghalaya has in recent years developed its healthcare sector, especially in rural regions, making treatment more accessible and dependable for people.
“Health is something that has no boundary,” the minister said, adding that “anywhere people are getting good treatment definitely they come.” He noted that improved facilities and services have enhanced public confidence in the state’s healthcare system.
However, Shylla was quick to draw a clear distinction between healthcare accessibility and adherence to legal norms. “But saying that it’s not that I am encouraging people to come and cross border,” he said, stressing that “because we have law and order, which needs to be followed.” He underlined that while humanitarian considerations remain important, border regulations and security protocols cannot be overlooked.
