‘State needs more anganwadi centres’

TURA: There is a need for more anganwadi centres, workers and auxiliary nursing midwives in the State, experts feel.
Speakers at a seminar on ‘Development-induced Displacement in Meghalaya’ held at Loyola College in Williamnagar, East Garo Hills, deliberated on the need for health workers.
Melvil Pereira, director of North Eastern Social Research Centre (NESRC), said the number of auxiliary nursing midwives is limited and this affects healthcare in remote areas. He also stressed on the need to provide vehicles and travel allowance to rural health workers.
Pereira, while presenting the second study on the Integrated Child Development Scheme in Meghalaya, said it has shown positive results. However, citing the National Family Health Survey (2015-16) data, Pereira said villages need spacious anganwadi centres, hike in remuneration for anganwadi workers, and increase in quantity and quality of food for children.  DC Hubert A. Marak said the administration would look into the problems.  The seminar was organised by the Department of Economics in collaboration with NESRC, Guwahati.