Shillong, Mar 26: Although Meghalaya has made some progress in various health markers, stunting continues to be a serious problem for the state’s children, with nearly 46 percent recorded as being short for their age.
A review of the Health and Family Welfare Department was convened by Mehtab Chandee A Sangma, Advisor to the department, today.
An overview of the department’s progress and priorities was presented, including key interventions under Mission 1000 Days, strengthening of rural health infrastructure and the launch of the Chief Minister’s Headman Fellowship.
The presentation also highlighted that Meghalaya continues to face a high burden of stunting, necessitating urgent and coordinated action. Sangma identified key root causes such as poor nutrition, lack of dietary diversity, and inadequate exclusive breastfeeding practices. She stressed the importance of improving maternal nutrition and child feeding practices.
She also called for an in-depth analysis of infant deaths, noting that early treatment of conditions such as upper respiratory infections (URIs) can prevent progression to pneumonia, a leading cause of infant mortality. Concerns were raised regarding anaemia among mothers and children, with a strong emphasis on early detection and intervention.
Other subjects covered during the review meeting were HIV, better staffing at rural primary health centres, supportive working environments for government doctors, adolescent health, teenage pregnancy, ASHA workers, the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS), etc.
