Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 474/22

6TH DISTRICT LEVEL ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION HELD AT AMPATI

6th District Level Annual Industrial Exhibition is being organised at Students Field, Ampati to provide platform for information exchange and marketing for the rural artisans. A two day Exhibition is being organised by District Commerce and Industries Centre, Ampati on 15th and 16th of December to provide exposure to local entrepreneurs and artisans.

Superintendent of Police of South West Garo Hills, Stephen A Rynjah inaugurated the exhibition. Addressing the inaugural program as the Chief Guest, he adviced the local artisans to take their work seriously and not merely do things for the sake of availing Government schemes. Stating that hardwork being the key ingredient to success, Rynjah also encouraged the local artisans to take advantage of such platforms to support and learn from each other.

The other Officials present at the inaugural program were General Manager of DCIC, DFR Marak and Principal of Government Higher Secondary School, KR Marak, among couple others. Harting Shira, an artisan from Wadak Boldak Self Help Group was also present on the occasion and shared his experiences.

The exhibition features wood carved items, cane and bamboo products, kitchen and gardening tools, food items and apparels among many others. MSME sector is the major contributor to the socio-economic development, contributing towards GDP growth and also largely contributing towards employment generation after Agriculture sector.

Press Release No. 475/22

DAE CIVIL HOSPITAL CANCER WING, OPD FACILITY INDOOR FACILITY AND DAY CARE FACILITY INAUGURATED

Shri James P K Sangma, Health and Family Welfare Minister today inaugurated the DAE Civil Hospital Cancer Wing, Civil Hospital Shillong, OPD Facility, Indoor Facility and Day Care Facility at the premises of Civil Hospital Shillong.

Speaking at the inauguration programme, Shri James P K Sangma said that the inauguration is a momentous occasion for the state of Meghalaya as it is the 1st cancer wing in a state run hospital. He expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders who had contributed in making this dream a reality.

He informed that Meghalaya has implemented the First Cancer Care Project which will work in tandem with the cancer wing. Cancer treatment takes a very long time, stretches over years, hence a dedicated approach is required, FCC has been brought in order to screen for early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment which will have a huge impact on how the cancer patients are treated thereby increasing the rate of survival of patients, he said.

He also informed that the government is in the process of establishing a similar cancer wing in Tura and hopes that through these initiatives and interventions the state will be able to take care of cancer in a focused manner which will help in combating this disease. This is just the beginning and there are still a lot of things that need to be done, in terms of diagnosis, treatments, post treatment care, etc. The government has also been encouraging a lot of community participation in the fight against cancer, through the village health councils which the state has started and the health councils will play an integral role in reaching out to the rural masses, he said.

During the day the Minister also launched a book titled Meghalaya Mission Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, which can be downloaded from the official website of the State Cancer Society of Meghalaya.

Press Release No. 476/22

ASHA CONFERENCE HELD

An ASHA Conference for East Khasi Hills District and Ri Bhoi District was held today at SICPAC, Mawkasiang, Shillong in the presence of Health and Family Welfare Minister, Shri James P. K. Sangma, Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Department, Shri Sampath Kumar, Mission Director NHM, Shri Ramkumar S, Director of Health Services (MCH and FW) cum JT Mission Director NHM, Dr. L Challam, Director of Health Services (R), Dr. S.S. Nongbri, State and District Officials and staff of NHM. The conference is held specifically to celebrate the ASHAs of the two districts, a day dedicated to ASHAs.

In the conference, several activities were held including a welcome song by the ASHAs of Ri Bhoi District, a short skit on awareness about the daily activities of an ASHA as she deals with looking after sanitation in her village, helping a mother whose minor daughter was abused, conducting a house visit and dealing with troubles at her own home. The short skit was skillfully presented by the ASHAs from Mawphlang PHC.

A felicitation ceremony was also held whereby the best performing ASHAs from each district and all 11 blocks, including best performing ASHA Facilitators at District and Block levels. Certificates and awards were presented to each winner by the Health Minister along with the other dignitaries. The best performing Village Health Councils from all the 11 blocks were also awarded. Headmen who are also the chairperson of a village health council accepted the awards on behalf of their respective councils.

The ASHA Union also presented gifts to the Health and Family Welfare Minister along with the other dignitaries with a bag. The bag is meant to symbolize the things that an ASHA carries with her which is full and laden with her numerous responsibilities that she carries with her. Three videos produced by the Department of Health and Family Welfare and National Health Mission on Chief Ministers Safe Motherhood Scheme, ASHA Pay and VHC were screened.

Health and Family Welfare Minister, Shri James P. K. Sangma in his speech expresses his thanks and appreciation to all the ASHAs present. He also said that he understood the impact that an ASHA’s role is at the ground level and the overall health scenario in the state. He said that he understood the challenges that are faced by ASHAs on a daily basis. He expressed his happiness to witness such an event and hopes that one day a conference will be conducted for all the 7000 ASHAs of the state. The Minister also informed that in the last few years there has been a significant increase in performances by the state like the institutional delivery which has increased to 70 percent from 55 percent 2 years ago, reduction of maternal and infant mortality rates by over 30 percent which is due to the ASHAs constant dedication and hard work. He also mentioned that with the support system given by the VHCs, the ASHAs would feel more empowered. He also informed everyone that 400 medical officers posts will be filled up soon and 150 new sub centers will be coming up in the state.

Shri Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare in his speech appreciated the ASHAs. He reminisced about the time when he first started working with ASHAs was when he was DC of WGH district in the year 2005. Back then the immunization rate was only at 14 percent for the whole state. With the sincere efforts of the ASHAs, now in the year 2022, immunization has reached 90 percent in the state. He stated that the ASHAs have also played a very important role in helping the state reduce the number of malaria cases in the state and expresses his deep gratitude to them. He also mentioned that Meghalaya is the only state in the country whereby payment for ASHAs is done via the ASHA Pay APP and since the use of the app, there has not been any delay in payment.

The Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Guideline, the Meghalaya Way developed by Center for Population Research, was also released at the function by the Health and Family Welfare Minister and the other dignitaries.