Shillong, Dec 19: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated the Zoonotic Vector Borne Diseases Research & Training Centre (ZVBDC) at the Indian Institute of Public Health-Shillong (IIPHS) as part of a seminar on ‘One Health’ hosted by the Institute. This is the first of its kind ZVBDC centre in the Northeastern Region of India.

The ZVBD Centre, funded by DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance, will help monitor and forecast disease trends to enhance early cross-species detection of ZVBD outbreaks and threats through syndromic surveillance, genetic identification of pathogens and simulation modelling of… pic.twitter.com/VnmQZTrOTz

— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) December 19, 2023

Speaking at the launch event, the Chief Minister stated that Meghalaya has adopted a holistic approach to addressing health challenges, especially to tackle the issue of high maternal and infant deaths. He went on to inform that due to holistic interventions in this space, Meghalaya’s maternal deaths, which was higher than the national average about three years ago, have now reduced and are now, almost equal to the national average. This has been attained due to a holistic approach adopted by the state – involving a collaborative approach from all key stakeholders, and more so, identifying and addressing the socio-economic challenges. He expressed optimism in further decline in MMR and IMR in the years to come.

The Chief Minister went on to state that the ‘One Health’ Seminar being hosted by IIPHS precisely focuses on a holistic and collaborative approach which is the need of the hour, and key to addressing not only health, but all developmental challenges. It may be mentioned that One Health is a multisectoral and collaborative transdisciplinary approach that recognizes and emphasizes the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health. In view of this, the CM went on to inform that the 2nd highest claims under MHIS are made primarily due to reasons related to animal bites and wounds, thereby proving human’s close proximity to the animals around us.

Appreciating the contribution of IIPHS in the research space, the CM went on to state that steps would be taken to grant a university status to IIPHS soon, and urged the young research scholars to actively integrate research with innovative technological tools. He also laid down the vision to make Meghalaya an innovation hub and said that steps are underway to create a massive data centre in Shillong. Work is also in progress to bring optical submarine cables all the way from Chittagong and the vision is to connect the entire state with optical fibres. He went on to urge the young researchers to make optimum use of this momentum that is being built in the IT space in Meghalaya.

Addressing the researchers, Meghalaya Health Minister Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh highlighted the importance of research in policy drafting and implementation. She recalled how a 2023 study conducted by IIPHS on WaSH practices amongst 220 women street vendors of Iewduh, Shillong, revealed how 32 percent of them had contacted Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) due to lack of access to adequate clean public toilet amenities. They would also refrain from drinking water for long hours to avoid having to use unclean toilets and because they were located far from their stalls. This study showed how an individual health problem would require to be solved by addressing various socio-economic dimensions—provision of clean hygienic washrooms; designing human-centered urban spaces; creating gender-sensitive infrastructure—involving collaboration between various government departments.

Based on the findings by IIPH, the Minister said that she would soon initiate steps to construct toilets next to the vendor zones, starting from her constituency. She further stated that steps would be initiated to explore the possibility of granting IIPHS a university status.

Addressing the gathering, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Sampath Kumar expressed pride in Meghalaya being home to the first Zoonotic Vector Borne Diseases Research & Training Centre (ZVBDC) in the NE region within the IIPHS. He mentioned that the State has adopted a holistic approach towards addressing human development challenges, and informed that the State is uniquely implementing a housing mission under PMAY, keeping in mind the One Health approach, that is the interrelationship and interdependence between human, animals and the environment. He said that the State has been adopting research driven policy interventions to address critical issues by building State capability, and using the State Capability Enhancement Project Framework.

Dr. Joram Beda, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya gave a presentation on behalf of the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India on ‘National One Health Mission’.

The programme commenced with a welcome address by the Director of Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong, Prof. Sandra Albert. Following this, Dr. Rajiv Sarkar, Associate Professor, IIPH Shillong spoke on One Health and its importance. Dr. Melari Nongrum, Principal Investigator and Dean of IIPH Shillong presented the plan and action of the ZVBDC in Meghalaya. The seminar also witnessed a virtual address by Prof. Siddharth Chandra, Director, Asian StudiesMichigan State University (MSU), USA as well as Prof Gagandeep Kang, Director, Global Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA, Seattle. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Albert Chiang, OSD, Meghalaya Basin Development Authority. The seminar also showcased the voices of young tribal researchers from the state- Uniquely Mawrie and Dr. Riviarynthia Kharkongor, who received scholarships and one health fellowships. The seminar witnessed the attendance of researchers and faculty members of IIPH Shillong, along with key State Officials and media persons.

Also Read: Assam: Rabha Students’ Union leader detained for allegedly killing & eating leopard meat

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