Nine of the practitioners formally certified under natl quality framework
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 2: Traditional healers of Meghalaya, long revered as custodians of indigenous health wisdom, received a major boost as nine of them were formally certified under a national quality framework marking a turning point in the professionalisation of traditional medicine in the state.
The Bio-Resources Development Centre (BRDC), under the Planning, Investment Promotion & Sustainable Development (PIP&SD) Department, organised a Certificate Distribution Programme at the Secretariat Wellness Centre, Shillong, to honour these healers. Certified under the Voluntary Certification Scheme for Traditional Community Healthcare Providers (VCSTCHP) by the Quality Council of India (QCI), the nine practitioners underwent rigorous assessments based on ISO/IEC 17024:2012 standards. Their proven expertise spans treatment of common ailments, jaundice, arthritis, and traditional bone setting.
For these Traditional Community Healthcare Providers (TCHPs), the certification offers more than formal recognition. It provides them direct access to schemes and support from the Ministry of AYUSH opening new avenues for growth, legitimacy, and outreach.
“This certification is not just a badge. It is a bridge connecting ancestral knowledge with modern safety standards and public health systems,” said one healer from the Jaintia Hills region, who shared his journey during the programme.
The BRDC has long worked to uplift and support traditional healers through initiatives such as the documentation of indigenous medical practices, training and capacity-building programmes, and the establishment of Meghalaya Traditional Healing Clinics. This certification initiative is now established as a milestone in recognising traditional medicine as a legitimate and critical component of rural healthcare.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner & Secretary of Health and Family Welfare and Director, AYUSH, Joram Beda, applauded the BRDC and its partners for “bringing traditional healers into the fold of formal healthcare, especially in crucial practices like traditional bone setting.”
The North East Christian University (NECU), Dimapur, served as the authorised certifying body for the Northeast. Its Pro-Chancellor, Prof Darlando T Khathing, emphasised that certified practitioners are now featured on the national QCI portal, making them visible to a global audience — a move that amplifies their reach and recognition.
Additional Secretary and Member Secretary of BRDC, Gunanka DB, highlighted BRDC’s broader role in streamlining traditional healing systems and preserving indigenous knowledge sectors. He underlined that the state now stands at the forefront of creating a robust framework where traditional healers are not only preserved but empowered.
Voices from across Meghalaya — Khasi, Jaintia, Ri-Bhoi, and Garo Hills — were heard during the experience-sharing segment, as practitioners reflected on how the programme brought respect, structure, and new opportunities to their lifelong practice.