A book on ‘Tribal Health and Wellbeing in Meghalaya, India’ was released today at Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) here.
Published by MLCU Press, the book was the outcome of a 2023 project, entitled ‘Creation of a Curriculum on the Health of Indigenous and Tribal Communities: Meghalaya’, funded by Germany’s Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.
Dr Sandra Albert, Director of the Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong, described the book as a comprehensive resource that combines research, policy and reflective learning. Divided into three sections, the book includes 15 chapters on tribal health, wellbeing, traditional practices and indigenous knowledge; two key policy documents from the Meghalaya government – the MOTHER policy and the Mental Health and Social Care Policy; and 11 research articles on vaccine hesitancy, contraception, traditional healers and health systems.
Dr Albert spoke about the widespread use and acceptance of tribal medicine among local communities and the limited relevance of centrally promoted AYUSH systems in the region.
The book was officially released by Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department Sampath Kumar in the presence of senior university faculty, students and MLCU board members Rudi Warjri and Patricia Mukhim.
In his address, Kumar highlighted the critical importance of acknowledging and integrating traditional health systems into formal healthcare frameworks. Drawing on insights from maternal death reviews and field experiences, he shared that many maternal deaths occurred in settings where traditional birth attendants (TBAs) were excluded from the health system despite their deep community trust and care.
He praised the book for documenting these realities and for presenting policy recommendations rooted in the cultural context of Meghalaya. Kumar expressed strong support for using the book as a foundational resource in medical and policy education and he called upon MLCU to collaborate with the state in documenting and mainstreaming proven traditional practices through inclusive policies that reflect the lived experiences of tribal communities.
