Shillong, Oct 07: A first of its kind a gathering of the traditional healers, bone setters, and birth attendants, from 23 far flung villages under Hima Nongpung who are member of Society for Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and Practices (SPIKAP), at Madan Bitaw, Hima Nongspung, Mawphlang C&RD Block, East Khasi Hills District to discuss 1. the urgent need for coordination between the Health Department and the village healers and for support to the ‘traditional nurses’ or birth attendants. 2. the awareness on the ‘The Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Protection and Promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine) Act, 2011’.
The meeting was initiated in coordination with Society for Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and Practices (SPIKAP), by Shri. Kyntiewborlang Syiemlieh, President, and officer bearers, Seng Samla Hima Nongspung, Shri. M Rani, Acting Chief, Shri. D Syiemlieh, Secretary, including the Sordar Shnong, and other officer bearers of Hima Nongspung.
The traditional village healers, bone setters, and birth attendants who attended came from far flung villages namely, Madan Bitaw, Laitnongrem, Dempluh, Lawkhla, Pyndenlitha, Mawkneng, Wahlang, Mawkynjing, Laitnongrim, Laitkajaud, Laitdithuh, Mawsniang, Nongspung, Wahsholait, Lailyngkhoi, Madan Lyngkhoi, Mynjer (Nongspung), Mawsadeng, Lempluh, Laijithoh, Mawjongka, Kyndong Wahlang, and Nongwah Lynnia, and expressed their gratitude to the meeting which has brought them together, they hoped that their coming together will be beneficial to all the traditional practioners, who are meeting for the first time and to preserve their traditional knowledge.
In the meeting Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, & Chairman, SPIKAP, on behalf of the people in the rural areas of Meghalaya expressed sincere appreciation to the sacrifice and contribution by the healers, and especially the birth attendants( traditional village nurse) who have complimented health care in absence and in view of distance and access to proper equipped hospitals.
He expressed his thanks to the Government and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council for the ‘The Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Protection and Promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine) Act, 2011’ and looked forward to the legislation of the Rules for issue of recognition to the Healers. He also expressed his appreciation to members of SPIKAP, and MLCU for their efforts in supporting SPIKAP in their advocacy programs and in their inputs relating to the new KHADC Khasi Medicine Act passed by the KHADC and the State Government.
Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, bad Chairman, SPIKAP, stated that the services and sacrifice of the birth attendants (traditional nurses) in far flung in accessible villages must be appreciated by all and stated that SPIKAP has urged the Government of Meghalaya to explore ways and means to provide some support to these silent health care providers.
He also urged all the traditional healers to ensure that they start documentation of their valuable work, that they should maintain two registers, one to contain the names of the patients and another to contain the prescriptions/ medication and time taken to treat their patients.
Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, bad Chairman, SPIKAP, also urged them to protect their formula and especially their majic portion but impressed upon them to compile with photos the names of the herbal plants, given the fact that they all agreed that herbs were becoming scant and difficult to collect, he informed them that it was crucial for them to send the photos and the names of the herbs to SPIKAP so as to compile them and to ensure that they are not endangered plants.
He informed them that there was interest all the way from UK, USA, and Germany for Khasi, Jaintia an Garo traditional healing process. However, the traditional healers have to ensure that they have basic facilities such as proper beds / rooms and clean toilets. Another important aspect is to ensure that the village is sensitive to outsiders coming for critical treatment.
He urged the Seng Samla and the Chief and Elders of Hima Nongspung, to make efforts in discussing the issue of preservation of village forest etc for the very survival of the valuable herbal plants.
The Seng Samla, the Acting Chief and Elders of Hima Nongspung, thanked the Chairman, Society for Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and Practices (SPIKAP) for visiting a far flung areas to listen and discuss the problems of the people, they urged Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, State Planning Board, to take up with the Government to utilize the services of the traditional healers and birth attendants in the Hospitals, CHC or PHC.
Among others who spoke and those who participated were Bah Kyntiewborlang Syiemlieh, President, and office bearers, Seng Samla Hima Nongspung, Bah M Rani, Acting Chief, Bah D Syiemlieh, Secretary, Bah S Nongbet, Jt Secy Hima Nongspung, including Sordar and Village Elders of Hima Nongspung.(SP News)
