SHILLONG, June 6: Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), Shillong, hosted a significant academic event with the official release of the book “Tribal Health and Wellbeing in Meghalaya, India”, published by MLCU Press.
The event was graced by the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro Vice Chancellor, the faculty, students, and board members of the university. Notable attendees included Rudi Warjri and Patricia Mukhim, editor of The Shillong Times, who also authored the book’s foreword.
The programme began at 1 pm with a welcome address by Larilin Kharpuri, Pro Vice Chancellor of MLCU. She emphasized the university’s dedication to addressing local health challenges through interdisciplinary research and publication. The book, she informed, is a product of the 2023 project “Creation of a Curriculum on the Health of Indigenous and Tribal Communities: Meghalaya”, funded by Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, Germany.
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Kharpuri also highlighted MLCU’s pioneering efforts in documenting and supporting tribal healers, advocating for the preservation of indigenous knowledge and culturally relevant health education.
Sandra Albert, Director of the Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong, introduced the book as a comprehensive academic resource.
Divided into three sections, it includes 15 chapters on tribal health, wellbeing, and traditional practices; two key Meghalaya government policy documents (the MOTHER Policy and the Mental Health and Social Care Policy); and 11 research articles covering topics like vaccine hesitancy, contraception, health systems, and traditional healing. She noted that while indigenous medicine remains widely practiced and trusted in Meghalaya, the centrally promoted AYUSH systems often lack local relevance.
The official release was conducted by Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya. In his keynote address, he emphasized the need to formally recognize and integrate traditional health systems into mainstream healthcare. Citing maternal death review findings, he pointed out that many deaths occurred where traditional birth attendants (TBAs) had been sidelined, despite their community trust and accessibility.
Kumar praised the book for capturing ground realities and for offering policy recommendations grounded in Meghalaya’s cultural context. He shared examples of how traditional healers have supported TB detection and vaccination efforts, stating, “When we engaged with traditional healers, we saw the trust they held and the role they already play in promoting practices like vaccination and safe deliveries. It is time we brought them into the fold.”
He urged MLCU to work closely with the state government in documenting and mainstreaming validated traditional health practices, proposing the use of the book as a foundational tool for medical and policy education.
The event also featured a student poster presentation from the Departments of Nutrition and Environment and Traditional Ecosystems. Students showcase their work on themes related to traditional healing, therapeutic plants, and health practices in rural communities.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Francis Shangpliang, Business Manager of MLCU Press, who acknowledged the contributions of authors, collaborators, organisers, and student volunteers.
Following the formal ceremony, attendees engaged with student presenters, marking the event as a meaningful step toward community-focused academic discourse and highlighting MLCU’s role in promoting socially relevant research in Meghalaya and the wider region.
