Shillong June 22: The mission for manufacturing of the Rabies Vaccine of plant origin by tissue culture method which was initiated by the Minister, Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, Shri A. L. Hek after his visit to the Sami Labs, Bangalore in May 2016 Will look into the possibilities of reviving the Pasteur Institute, Shillong and nurture medicinal plants based activities for the sustainable development in Meghalaya.
A meeting in this regard was held On 21st June, 2016 at the Pasteur Institute which was presided over by the Minister and attended by the official from the Health Department which include Mr M.R Synrem, IAS, Secretary Health and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Dr R.R. Wankhar, Director Health Services (MI), Dr R.O.Budnah, Director Health Services (Research) Pasteur Institute, Dr Kharkarang, Director Health Services (MCH), and several other senior doctors and scientists with a view to deliberate and chalk out a plan for the manufacture of the Rabies Vaccine of plant origin by tissue culture method and decommissioning of the Pasteur Institute.
The Minister of Health, Secretary, Health and other officials while appreciating the initiative of Dr Muhammed Majeed have agreed to work together with Sami-Sabinsa Group to revive the Pasteur Institute and begin manufacturing of Rabies vaccine. Sami-Sabinsa Group will also be submitting a proposal to the Government of Meghalaya in this regard.
Sami-Sabinsa Group has also committed to offer the services of the Group for strengthening the analytical capabilities of the laboratory which is functioning under the Department of AYUSH including providing training to the lab technicians and doctors of the department.
The company is also contemplating to take up cultivation of medicinal plants in a big way in State of Meghalaya through contract farming directly with the farmers eliminating intermediates. The farmers who toil in fields will be the actual beneficiaries of the price of their produce. The company also expressed that the state offers excellent soil and climatic conditions for cultivation of several medicinal plants including many endangered species. The Company will create a Model Farm of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in order to train farmers of the State in advanced cultivation methods.
A major initiative will be undertaken to propagate the cultivation of turmeric in Jowai, Shangpung and other areas of Jaintia Hills, where the Lakadong variety of turmeric is grown in which a meeting of over 100 farmers is being organised at Shangpung on the June 22, 2016.
