By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 19: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said efforts are on to create a massive data centre in Shillong and bring optical submarine cables from Chittagong in Bangladesh to connect the entire state with optical fibres.
He said this while launching the Zoonotic Vector-Borne Diseases Research & Training Centre (ZVBDC) the first of its kind in the North East, at the Indian Institute of Public Health-Shillong (IIPHS) during a seminar on One Health hosted by the institute.
He urged the young researchers to make optimum use of the facilities being built in the IT space in Meghalaya.
Appreciating the contribution of IIPHS to research, Sangma said steps would be taken to grant university status to the institute soon and urged the young research scholars to actively integrate research with innovative technological tools.
He said Meghalaya has adopted a holistic approach to addressing health challenges, especially to tackle the issue of high maternal and infant deaths.
He said Meghalaya’s maternal deaths, which were higher than the national average about three years ago, have now reduced to be almost on par with the national average. He attributed this to the adoption of a holistic approach by the state, involving a collaborative approach from all key stakeholders, and identifying and addressing the socio-economic challenges.
He expressed optimism that the MMR and IMR would drop further in the years to come.
The Chief Minister said the One Health seminar being hosted by IIPHS focuses on a holistic and collaborative approach which is the need of the hour and the key to addressing not only health but all developmental challenges.
One Health is a multi-sectoral and collaborative transdisciplinary approach that recognizes and emphasizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. Because of this, Sangma said the second highest claims under MHIS are made primarily due to reasons related to animal bites and wounds, thereby proving humans’ proximity to animals. Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh highlighted the importance of research in policy drafting and implementation. She also said steps would be initiated to explore the possibility of granting IIPHS a university status.
Principal Secretary of the Health & Family Welfare Department, Sampath Kumar expressed pride in Meghalaya being home to the first ZVBDC in the north-eastern region.
He said the state is uniquely implementing a housing mission under PMAY, keeping in mind the One Health approach. He added that the state has been adopting research-driven policy interventions to address critical issues by building capability and using the State Capability Enhancement Project Framework.
Commissioner & Secretary of Health Department, Joram Beda gave a presentation on behalf of the office of the principal scientific advisor to the government of India on the National One Health Mission.
The seminar also showcased the voices of young tribal researchers from the state, Uniquely Mawrie and Riviarynthia Kharkongor, who received scholarships and One Health fellowships.
