Shillong: The Meghalaya government on Tuesday informed that according to the findings of an official inquiry into the medical attention provided to late MP Dr. Ricky AJ. Syngkon at Mawiong Community Health Centre (CHC) on February 19, 2026, found there was no refusal of care or delay in referral.
Addressing the media, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said the Health Department had conducted an inspection and inquiry through the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO), East Khasi Hills, and was presenting a factual account of the sequence of events.
“Would like to share regarding the sequence of events which happened at the Mawiong CHC. So the Health Department, Government of Meghalaya, placed the following factual account on record regarding the medical attention provided to honourable Member of Parliament Dr. Ricky AJ. Syngkon at Mawiong Community Health Centre on the evening of 19th February 2026, based on the inspection and inquiry conducted by the District Medical and Health Officer, DMHO East Khasi Hills,” Shylla said.
According to the minister, at 6:53 pm, the 108 emergency call centre received a call regarding the incident and an ambulance was immediately dispatched to Mawiong Rim Playground from Lawmali. However, within five to seven minutes, the emergency service received another call informing that the patient had already been shifted to the CHC in a private vehicle.
At approximately 7:15 pm, Syngkon was brought to the emergency room of Mawiong CHC after reportedly collapsing while playing football at a nearby ground.
“On arrival, the patient was unconscious and unresponsive. Initial assessment revealed blood pressure not recordable, pulse not palpable. The patient was immediately attended by the staff nurse on emergency duty, and the medical officer on call was intimated,” Shylla stated.
He said oxygen support was initiated promptly and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered. “Despite these resuscitation efforts, the patient did not respond. In view of the critical condition and non-response to initial resuscitation, the patient party was informed of the need for immediate referral to a higher facility,” he added.
At around 7:20 pm, arrangements were made to transfer the patient. He was shifted with oxygen support in the Mawiong CHC ambulance and reached Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital at approximately 7:40 pm, where he was handed over to the emergency team.
“As per medical report of Robert Hospital, on arrival the patient vitals were not recordable and pupils were bilaterally fixed and dilated,” the minister said.
Citing the findings of the inquiry, Shylla said: “The inquiry confirms that emergency assessment and basic life support measures were initiated promptly upon the patient’s arrival at Mawiong CHC. The staff present acted within the scope and capacity of a community health centre, including immediate examination, oxygen administration, initiation of CPR and timely referral to a higher facility. There is no finding of refusal of care or delay in referral at Mawiong CHC.”
He added that the department reiterates its “deep condolence to the bereaved family and the people of the state,” while noting that sudden medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest are time-critical and outcomes depend on multiple factors, including underlying health conditions and the immediacy of advanced life-saving intervention.
Responding to questions on the absence of a doctor at the CHC at the time of the incident, Shylla acknowledged the shortage of medical personnel in the state.
“As mentioned in today’s Assembly question also, right now we are in a tremendous shortage of doctors in our state. Nevertheless, there were actually four doctors posted at Mawiong CHC. But out of these four, two are under PG leave for higher studies and one doctor was transferred to Khliehriat CHC since May because of medical condition. So, as you understand, there is only one doctor there,” he said.
The minister clarified that the lone medical officer had been on duty from 9 am to 4 pm attending OPD cases and was available on call thereafter. “Whatever the nurse was doing, she was on call with the doctor, under the doctor’s guidance only,” he said, adding, “We do understand, no doubt, it is very unfortunate that at that particular moment doctor was not there. But all the necessary procedures were followed as medical emergencies.”
On whether additional doctors would be deployed following the incident, Shylla said the government is working on strengthening manpower not only at Mawiong CHC but across the state.
“We have got the sanction from Finance to recruit another 150 doctors on contractual basis. So very soon we are conducting their recruitment,” he informed.
Addressing concerns over ambulance response time, the minister said that as per records, the 108 service received a call and dispatched an ambulance within minutes, but the patient was transported in a private vehicle shortly thereafter due to the urgency of the situation.
Health Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar said Mawiong CHC, being close to the city, has relatively low footfall and minimal inpatient admissions on many days. He noted that there had even been discussions about utilising part of the CHC premises as a de-addiction centre due to underutilisation.
On delays in filling vacancies, Shylla said that while candidates attend recruitment processes, many do not join after postings are issued. He acknowledged that living conditions and workload may be contributing factors.
“I won’t say that is the whole thing, but that is one of the reasons,” he said, adding that the department has floated several tenders for construction and renovation of doctors’ and nurses’ quarters to improve accommodation facilities.
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Kumar further said the establishment of Shillong Medical College is expected to ease the shortage over time, with 50 additional doctors in the pipeline. Shylla added that the upcoming Tura Medical College is also expected to boost the number of doctors in the coming years.
“If the medical college would have been there 10 years ago, then I think the situation would have been different. Hopefully, in the coming years, we’ll be able to deal with the shortage of doctors,” the minister said.
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