Health and education are both important issues that have not been given adequate attention in Meghalaya. Sure, Covid is a health emergency but it is not the only health problem that afflicts people. There are deaths every day in Meghalaya and no one is concerned about the cause of death. Only Covid-related deaths receive attention. Hence it is fair to say that Covid has subsumed all other issues across this country and in Meghalaya too. However, it is heartening to note that Principal Secretary Health. Government of Meghalaya has been keeping vigil on other health concerns such as maternal and infant mortality which continue to be a challenge. He has been conferring with the district heads and health personnel on this issue. Maternal and infant mortality figures in Meghalaya are on the higher side and continue to baffle health care providers. The reasons are primarily anemia and malnutrition among pregnant mothers. This needs attention even in the midst of the pandemic.
Psycho-social problems too are of concern. Domestic violence is on the rise but the handicaps of reporting such violence are too many to circumvent especially during the lockdown. Mental health issues too have either gone unnoticed or unreported and those suffering have had no help whatsoever. In fact, most people have pushed their health problems to the backburner and regular check-ups have dwindled even among the elderly as they shun hospitals and health centres. The Covid protocols insist that the elderly should go out only when very necessary. Besides, the fear of going out of the house and contacting the virus is very real. All this will add up to a strain on the section of population that need regular medication. But those needing the most care are cancer patients and they top the number of deaths worldwide, but they too have been given short shrift on account of the pandemic.
Education is another sector that has not received adequate attention. The messaging from the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) for higher education has been ambivalent and has created more panic among parents and students. It seems clear now that for this year normal classes are out. Alternative teaching methods and online schooling has filled the education vacuum to some extent but the future looks uncertain. No consultations have taken place between the MHRD and the State Education Departments. Discussions on economic stimuli have taken place several times but no clear directives have come from the Union Government on education. It’s imperative that state and central government now pay attention to education.