Workshop for recovering addicts culminates in city
SHILLONG, Oct 17: Curtain came down on a four-day workshop on soap making, financial schemes and entrepreneurship skills, organised for recovering drug addicts at BIDS RKM Hall, Nongshilliang, Nongthymmai, Shillong. According to a statement here, the workshop was conducted by Bosco Integrated Development Society (BIDS) in collaboration with Manbha Foundation and Meghalaya Users Forum, and was sponsored by the Meghalaya government under the Voluntary Action Fund 2016-2017, East Khasi Hills District through the District Planning Office. Implemented under the RISE (Rehabilitation Integration Through Skills) project, the programme aimed to build confidence, impart valuable skills, enhance employment opportunities, generate income, promote financial independence and encourage a healthier lifestyle among participants. The workshop had commenced on October 13 with an orientation session, followed by two days of theoretical and practical training in soap-making. The final day focused on sessions covering financial schemes and entrepreneurship skills. The programme concluded with participant feedback and the distribution of certificates to all attendees.
Group seeks appointment of more docs at SWKH PHC
MAWKYRWAT, Oct 17: Following complaints from the public about the functioning of the Mawthawpdah Primary Health Centre (PHC) under Mawkyrwat C&RD Block in South West Khasi Hills District, particularly regarding the absence of doctors on Saturdays and Sundays, the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) Mawsaw Area Unit on Friday inspected the PHC and met the medical officer to understand the issue. Speaking to media persons after the meeting, HANM Mawsaw Area Unit president, Banshan Iawphniaw, expressed regret over what he described as the state health department’s unfair treatment towards the people of the Mawthawpdah area. He said that the PHC covers a large population, yet it has only one MBBS doctor and one Ayush doctor. Iawphniaw stated that after the issue was earlier raised with former Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, the department had posted another MBBS doctor at the hospital. “Sadly, she served for only about three months before being transferred to another hospital, and since then the health department has not done anything to solve the problem,” he said. “As of now, we understand that it is very difficult for only one MBBS doctor to run the PHC because when there are meetings, trainings or various programmes of the PHC, he has to handle everything alone, leaving the centre without a doctor. This has created a lot of problems for the local people who come for treatment. Therefore, we strongly urge the government to immediately send two more doctors to this PHC so that it can serve the people better,” Iawphniaw added. He further stated that the HANM will continue to follow up on the issue until the state government, through the health department, resolves the matter.
