Shillong, July 01: The Traditional Healers” The Bio-Resources Development Centre as part of its commitment towards promotion of indigenous system of medicine in the state of Meghalaya had facilitated the certification of seventeen Traditional Healers of the state.
Out of these, 9 have completed the evaluation process, they have successfully met the established criteria and have been officially certified. These certified healers are now officially recognized for their expertise in the treatment of common ailments, jaundice, traditional bone setting, and arthritis.
This recognition not only honours their knowledge and skills but also integrates them into the broader healthcare framework, promoting inclusive and accessible healthcare in our communities.
This achievement underscores the effectiveness of the certification process in recognizing and validating the invaluable contributions of our Traditional Community Healthcare Providers (TCHP) under the Voluntary Certification Scheme for Traditional Community Healthcare Providers (VCSTCHP), which is a pioneering initiative of the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
The Quality Council of India (QCI) in collaboration with the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT). Officially introduced on March 24, 2017, this scheme aims to formally recognize and certify the skills, knowledge of Traditional Community Healthcare Providers (TCHPs), commonly known as folk healers and traditional healers, who have been integral to rural and tribal healthcare systems across India.
Through rigorous evaluation by the Quality Control of India (QCI) accredited Personnel Certification Bodies (PrCBs) operating under ISO 17024 standards, these PrCBs assess and certify Traditional Community Healthcare Providers (TCHPs), ensuring a rigorous and internationally recognized evaluation process.
In North East India, the North East Christian University (NECU) in Nagaland (Dimapur) has been accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) under ISO/IEC 17024:2012.
Since its inception, NECU has certified numerous TCHPs across Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, and is expanding its reach to other North Eastern States like Manipur and Meghalaya. The VCSTCHP scheme represents a significant step towards recognizing and formalizing the contributions of traditional healers in India’s healthcare landscape.
It is a testament to our collective effort to honour and preserve our rich healthcare heritage, through rigorous evaluation by accredited PrCBs, the scheme also ensures that traditional healing practices meet modern health and safety standards, thereby benefiting both practitioners and the communities they serve.
It is a step towards bridging the gap between traditional and modern medicine, ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to all, irrespective of their geographical location.
