By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 14: The UNICEF on Wednesday reviewed its collaborations with the Meghalaya government in child health, maternal care, nutrition, immunization, adolescent development and community-led social interventions.
During a review meeting held with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at the State Guest House, Taraghar, in Shillong, a high-level UNICEF delegation shared its observations from its two-day visit to the state, where the members interacted with frontline health workers, mothers’ groups, village health councils, district officials and youth leaders.
The delegation appreciated Meghalaya government’s grassroots and community-driven initiatives, aimed at improving immunization coverage, reducing maternal mortality, strengthening nutrition outcomes and promoting youth participation in governance and development.
A senior UNICEF official described Meghalaya as a state demonstrating strong leadership in child-focused human development. The official observed that the state’s community-based governance model, combined with government leadership and institutional partnerships, is creating measurable impact at the grassroots level.
The delegation highlighted Meghalaya’s integrated approach towards maternal and child health, nutrition and early childhood development. UNICEF noted that the state is moving towards its “003 Agenda” — zero maternal deaths, zero unimmunized children and ensuring healthy physical growth for every child during the first 1,000 days of life to prevent stunting and support full developmental potential.
The meeting also discussed the state government’s Mission 1000 Days programme launched on March 31 this year, which focuses on tackling child stunting, improving maternal and child health outcomes, and strengthening interventions during the critical first 1,000 days of life.
UNICEF representatives further praised Meghalaya’s investment in adolescent development and youth engagement, particularly the formation of the Young People’s Action Group. The delegation described the initiative as a meaningful platform that allows young people to directly contribute to policy discussions and development priorities.
Speaking during the interaction, Conrad Sangma said Meghalaya’s development strategy is centered on human development and long-term institutional systems rather than isolated scheme-based interventions.
He stated that the government has adopted an integrated approach by bringing together departments, programmes and stakeholders to address the life-cycle needs of citizens — from early childhood to adolescence and beyond.
The Chief Minister said the state has made significant progress over the last eight years in addressing maternal mortality, infant mortality, immunization gaps, malnutrition and adolescent development through innovative, data-driven and community-led interventions.
He stressed the importance of documentation, evidence-based policymaking and digital monitoring systems to ensure measurable outcomes. Meghalaya is building a development model that could serve as a reference for other states facing similar challenges, he said.
The Chief Minister invited UNICEF to continue supporting Meghalaya through technical expertise, documentation of best practices, knowledge exchange and partnerships with development institutions, and CSR stakeholders to further scale successful interventions.
