SHILLONG: A first of its kind gathering of the traditional healers, bone setters, and birth attendants, from 23 far flung villages under Hima Nongspung, also members of Society for Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and Practices (SPIKAP) was held at Madan Bitaw, Hima Nongspung at Mawphlang on October 5.
The gathering was held to discuss on the urgent need for coordination between the Health Department and the village healers and for support to the ‘traditional nurses’ or birth attendants and the need to create the awareness on the ‘The Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Protection and Promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine) Act, 2011’.
The meeting was initiated in coordination with Society for Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and Practices (SPIKAP), acting chief of Hima Nongspung M Rani, members of the Seng Samla Hima Nongspung, the Sordar Shnong, and other officer bearers of Hima Nongspung.
The traditional village healers, bone setters, and birth attendants who attended the gathering hoped that their coming together will be beneficial to all the traditional practitioners, who are meeting for the first time to preserve their traditional knowledge.
SPIKAP Chairman, John F Kharshiing in his speech stated that the services and sacrifice of the birth attendants (traditional nurses) in far flung in accessible villages must be appreciated by all and stated that SPIKAP has urged the Government of Meghalaya to explore ways and means to provide some support to these silent health care providers.
He also urged the healers to protect their formula and especially their magic portion but impressed upon them to compile with photos the names of the herbal plants, given the fact that they all agreed that herbs were becoming scant and difficult to collect, he informed them that it was crucial for them to send the photos and the names of the herbs to SPIKAP so as to compile them and to ensure that they are not endangered plants.
He informed them that there was interest all the way from UK, USA, and Germany for Khasi, Jaintia and Garo traditional healing process. “However, the traditional healers have to ensure that they have basic facilities such as proper beds / rooms and clean toilets.,” he said adding that another important aspect is to ensure that the village is sensitive to outsiders coming for critical treatment.