Shillong, August 31: A number of traditional practitioners underwent a training program on Malaria Control which was initiated and conducted for members of Society for Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and Practices (SPIKAP), who are traditional private health care service providers comprising of traditional village healers, conducted by Caritas India, Futures Group International India Pvt. Ltd, SPIKAP and officials incharge of Malaria Control, of the Department of Health, Govt of Meghalaya.
The training was held on 29th August 2013 in the Dorbar Hall of Patharkhmah Village, Ri-Bhoi District Dr D Momin, M&HO, office of DMHO, Ri-Bhoi District, in his address stated that it was not Earthquakes, not even floods but Malaria which is the major cause for loss of human lives in the world
Dr D Momin, M&HO, also informed that he has learnt that traditional healers used a particular bitter leaf to treat Malaria, and urged the traditional herbalist to come forward and contribute towards eradication of this dreaded disease ‘Malaria” for the benefit of the community.
He also stated that it was important to understand that this issue needed to be approached with ABCD – A Awareness, B – One get Bitten during dawn or dusk, C- Chemoprophylaxis –Completing the treatment thoroughly, and D – proper diagnosis and testing of blood samples through Rapid Test, or at the PHC, or in the major Hospitals.
Healers from eleven far flung inaccessible villages along the Meghalaya Assam border participated in this training program such as Patharkhmah, Mawdem, Bilahari, Old Jirang, Pathardharo, Mawskei Them, Warmawsaw, Nongdom Mawpliang, Nongwah Mawlien, Raja Khomai, and New Jirang.
Training on different issues relating to Malaria was provide by Doctor D Momin, M&HO, Ri-Bhoi District, Shri. PS Muktieh, SMI, and Ms M Sukhlain, Co-coordinator, Futures Group International India Pvt. Ltd (Caritas India)
During this program the healers were also addressed by Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board, and Chairman, S PIKAP, who thanked the Government and Futures Group, for agreeing to visit these far flung areas so spread the awareness on preventive and curative measures on Malaria.(SP News)
