SHILLONG, Meghalaya: The Government of Meghalaya plans to construct a total of 75 new climate-resilient health centres in the remote areas of Meghalaya to provide uninterrupted health services even in extreme weather events.
Most of the existing health centres are vulnerable to extreme weather events, especially the ones situated in remote regions of the state, which could easily interrupt the delivery of essential health services in any contingency situation.
The state government has selected the Sauramandala Foundation for designing and capacity building, while the Selco foundation will provide the technical support for this project.
Representatives of the Sauramandala Foundation said that they are trying to design the structural component of the project to make it resistant to extreme colds, earthquakes, landslides and heavy winds. They are also trying to incorporate the element of sustainability in the areas of water conservation and renewable energy.
These health centres will be made in such a way to work on bare minimum energy and will also be provided with solar-powered and energy efficient appliances. Each of these centres will cost up to Rs 50 lakhs to the state government.
Also, Sauramandala Foundation and Selco Foundation have installed solar power in nearly 100 health centres, in far flung villages of Meghalaya. The state government has provided 70 per cent of the funds in this endeavour.