SHILLONG, July 20: Meghalaya has launched a pilot “One Health” initiative in Shillong’s Laitumkhrah area, aimed at eliminating dog-mediated human rabies through a coordinated approach involving public health authorities, veterinary services, local communities, and civil society organisations.
The programme, titled “Implementation of Comprehensive One Health Approach to Eliminate Dog-Mediated Human Rabies in Laitumkhrah Area,” was launched on Monday at the Ramakrishna Mission Dispensary in Laitumkhrah. The vaccination and awareness drive will begin on July 22 at all localities of Laitumkhrah as part of the pilot project.
The initiative is being implemented by the National Health Mission (NHM), Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Health & Family Welfare Department, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, and the CRE India Foundation (Collaborate for Rabies Eradication India).
The programme adopts the “One Health” approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. It includes mass dog vaccination, community awareness on rabies prevention, enhanced surveillance in both human and animal populations, and promotion of responsible pet ownership.
The initiative aligns with the global target of eliminating human rabies deaths by 2030 under the state’s theme, “One Health, One Future – Together for a Rabies-Free Meghalaya.”
In his inaugural address, Director (MCH & FW) and Joint Managing Director of NHM, Dr Paul N Chyne stressed that eliminating rabies requires coordinated action across multiple sectors. He acknowledged the contributions of the Animal Husbandry, Municipal, Education and Forest departments, CRE India, and community leaders, noting that community participation would be critical to the programme’s success.
Dr Chyne expressed confidence that the strategic tracking system, including colour-coded collar mapping of vaccinated dogs, would eventually be expanded across Meghalaya to make the state rabies-free.
Representing the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Dr David T Sun said rabies, though fatal, is entirely preventable through responsible pet ownership, timely post-exposure treatment, and adequate vaccination coverage.
He highlighted the department’s ongoing efforts, including routine vaccinations, public awareness campaigns, and stray dog sterilisation programmes in partnership with the Shillong Municipal Board.
Dr Harish Tiwari, Director of CRE India, outlined the project’s strategy of achieving at least 70 per cent vaccination coverage among the local dog population to break the transmission cycle.
He said the programme would use a specialised mobile application, featuring photo identification, metadata collection, and population modelling, to monitor vaccinated dogs. Each vaccinated dog will also receive an illuminated QR-coded collar to facilitate tracking of immunity levels.
Dr Tiwari announced a personal contribution of ₹1 lakh towards the initiative and expressed hope that Meghalaya would become the first state in India to eliminate rabies.
Welcoming the initiative, Bah Andrew Dkhar, Headman of the Laitumkhrah Dorbar Pyllun, said the locality, which comprises 13 neighbourhoods and serves as a major educational and healthcare hub, has long faced challenges from free-roaming street dogs. He assured the community’s full support for the pilot and expressed optimism that it could serve as a model for the rest of Shillong and the state.
Earlier, Dr Valerie J Laloo, State Nodal Officer (IDSP), NHM, said the pilot would help authorities assess implementation challenges and refine strategies before expanding the programme statewide. She reiterated that while rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, it is completely preventable through timely intervention.
Officials said the government hopes to scale up the Laitumkhrah pilot across the state through sustained vaccination, surveillance, and community participation, with the long-term goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies.
