NEIGRIHMS CME session on cause of death certification
SHILLONG, Aug 21: NEIGRIHMS on Tuesday conducted a Continuing Medical Education (CME) session on ‘Medical Certification of Cause of Death’ (MCCD). Organised by the Department of Forensic Medicine in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine, the CME session aimed to enhance the accuracy and understanding of cause of death certification among medical professionals. The session focused on several key objectives, including the importance of accurately filling out the MCCD form, addressing gaps in knowledge regarding cause of death certification, rectifying common errors made by medical professionals, and providing guidance on the proper use of terminology in line with the current International Classification of Diseases Code 11 (ICD-11). Director of NEIGRIHMS Prof Nalin Mehta praised the organisers for bringing attention to this critical issue, which is often overlooked by doctors and rarely discussed in scientific forums. He emphasised the significance of accurate cause of death certification in improving public health data and outcomes. The CME session featured expert insights from Prof AJ Patowary, Head of Forensic Medicine, Prof Star Pala, Head of Community Medicine, and Dr AD Ropmay, Additional Professor of Forensic Medicine. Their presentations were well-received, and the session was widely appreciated by the participants. Attendees included NEIGRIHMS faculty, resident doctors, nursing staff, interns, and personnel from the Medical Records Department. The programme was also broadcast live from NEIGRIHMS, allowing doctors and medical professionals across Meghalaya to attend virtually.
Govt asks citizens to complete Aadhaar enrolment for children
Shillong, Aug 21: The state government has reminded citizens regarding Aadhaar enrolment and the mandatory biometric updates required for children. In a statement the government encouraged parents to enrol their children, particularly those aged 0-5 years by undergoing due procedures at any Aadhaar enrolment centre. Highlighting the importance of completing mandatory biometric updates for children, it said it should be completed at two critical age intervals — 5 to 7 years and 15 to 17 years. “These updates, which include the child’s photograph, ten fingerprints, and iris scans, are essential to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the Aadhaar data as the child grows. Failure to complete these updates will result in the deactivation of the Aadhaar, which could hinder access to essential services such as scholarship applications, registration for national-level entrance exams, and other services requiring Aadhaar authentication,” the statement read. The government has assured citizens that Aadhaar enrolment and mandatory biometric updates for children aged 5 to 7 years and 15 to 17 years are provided free of charge. Citizens can visit Aadhaar Enrolment Centres located at all Deputy Commissioner’s offices, Block Development Offices, or Aadhaar Seva Kendra in Rynjah, Shillong, to complete enrolment and updates.
Group condemns violence against Hindus in B’desh
TURA, Aug 21: Members of the Garo Hills Bengalee Association have condemned the atrocities meted out to the Hindu minority community from Bangladesh while, at the same time, extending support to and solidarity with all those affected. “Since the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, there has been a surge in lootings, kidnappings, brutal killings, and other unlawful activities, disproportionately affecting the Hindu minority community. Despite their significant contributions to Bangladesh’s freedom struggle in 1971, the Hindu community continues to face persecution,” the members said in a statement. The Association also urged the interim government in Bangladesh to take action against the perpetrators and ensure the safety and security of the affected community.
Teachers seek sanction of ad hoc grant-in-aid for all
TURA, Aug 21: The All Meghalaya Non-Adhoc Secondary and Higher Secondary Schoolteachers’ Association on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to take steps to sanction the ad hoc grant-in-aid to all teachers, both in the secondary and higher secondary category. In their appeal to the chief minister, they urged that the ad hoc grant-in-aid be sanctioned not only for the secondary section but also for the higher secondary section. Reminding that the same issue had been raised repeatedly in the past but to no avail, the association urged the chief minister to look into their demand and fulfil the same.
Learning centre comes up in SGH
TURA, Aug 21: Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on Wednesday inaugurated the Experiential Learning Centre at Baghmara in South Garo Hills, which has been set up in a bid to generate employment for the youth. The centre, which is to be managed by a local society, viz. Society for Empowerment and Development of Youth, was inaugurated in the presence of Baghmara MLA KR Marak and South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner R Yanthan. The centre was started under the initiative of former South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner S Awasthi during his tenure as the DC and is funded by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The learning centre comprises three components, namely Digital Lab, Computer Lab and Gaming Zone.
BSF thwarts sugar-smuggling bid
SHILLONG, Aug 21: BSF personnel on Tuesday successfully foiled a smuggling attempt by apprehending an Indian national along with sugar meant to be smuggled to Bangladesh from the international border of East Khasi Hills. The sugar bags were loaded in a Mahindra pick-up vehicle. The apprehended individual and the seized sugar have been handed over to Pynursla Police Station for further legal proceedings.
KSU wants PHC in WJH upgraded
SHILLONG, Aug 21: In a bid to improve healthcare accessibility and services in the region, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) West Jaintia Hills District Unit submitted a memorandum to Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Wednesday, urging her to upgrade the Barato Primary Health Centre (PHC) to a Community Health Centre (CHC). The PHC, operated by an NGO, has been serving 13 villages for nearly 40 years and is currently overwhelmed due to the increasing population, which has exceeded 21,014 people. The KSU has highlighted the dire need for additional manpower and infrastructure to address the growing healthcare demands. It furthermore urged the minister to address the deplorable condition of the road leading to Namdong CHC, which poses significant challenges for patients seeking medical care.