Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 48/23

INAUGURATION OF EAT RIGHT MILLET MELA

Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh today inaugurated the two-day Eat Right Millet Mela, International Year of Millet 2023 at Malki Ground, Shillong. The Eat Right Millet Mela was organised by the Commissionerate of Food Safety, Government of Meghalaya.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ampareen Lyngdoh expressed her satisfaction to witness the participation of the young entrepreneurs and millet cultivators from across the state to gain the knowledge and to share the knowledge and experience to others about the various values of millets. Lyngdoh thanked the United Nations for recognising and reviving millet farming. In Meghalaya millet cultivation has been keenly integrated to the culture of the people of the state. With the intervention of the government the minister hoped that many more farmers will rejuvenate the farming practices by taking up millet cultivation which is totally an eco friendly crop that does not require irrigation facilities or external inputs and millet can also be used with any food item that is popular in the market.

Earlier the minister also inspected the different stalls that were set up in the mela exhibiting the various millet food products. Others present during the programme include Smti R.M Kurbah, Commissioner of Food Safety, Smti S. Kharsati Director of Agriculture, Smti D.B.S Mukhim, Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, East Khasi Hills, Dr. Sandra Albert, Director, IIPH Shillong among others

Press Release No. 49/23

WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY 2023 OBSERVED

Meghalaya observed the World Tuberculosis Day 2023 under the theme -Yes We can End TB, at a programme held today at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong. The programme was organised by the Office of the Mission Director, National Health Mission, Meghalaya. Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh attended the programme as Chief Guest.

Speaking at the programme, Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh stated that Tuberculosis is a life threatening disease since it claims so many lives yet it is preventable and curable with regular and proper medication. While lauding the continuous efforts put in by the medical fraternity of the state, the Minister said that they are torch bearers in eradicating Tuberculosis by 2025, which is in line with the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis (2017-2025) with the goal of ending TB by 2025.

The Minister also called upon the collective efforts of all stakeholders in combating this deadly disease and expressed hope that with the changed perception from government based to community based, so that the target can be achieved as per the NSP. She also stressed that community participation plays a vital role in clearing the myths revolving around TB and ensuring that proper awareness at the grass root level can be achieved.

During the programme, the minister along with other dignitaries presented the Sub National Certification to East Khasi Hills District for bagging a silver medal carrying a cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs and a bronze medal carrying a cash prize of Rs 2 lakhs each was presented to West Jaintia Hills, West Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills districts.

It may be mentioned that the Sub National Certification is a meticulously designed process of setting up benchmarks, evaluation for pre-requisites for claims and detailed process for verification by districts and states and its verification through an independent agency by the Health Ministry, Government of India followed by certification and award.

During the programme awards were also presented to Ri-Bhoi, East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills districts by the NHM, Meghalaya for their efforts in taking proactive steps in reducing TB cases. The award carries a citation and a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each. Awards were also presented to the winners of the Drawing Competition for both junior and senior categories and TB warriors/champions who have been cured and have fully recovered from TB were also felicitated.