Shillong: In a pioneering move for indigenous medicine in India, nine traditional healers from Meghalaya have secured national certification, marking a momentous stride towards formally integrating their age-old practices into the state’s contemporary healthcare system. This historic achievement signifies a crucial recognition of their invaluable contributions to community health.
The Quality Council of India’s Voluntary Certification Scheme for Traditional Community Healthcare Providers bestowed the certifications upon these practitioners. This rigorous evaluation process, adhering to international ISO/IEC 17024:2012 standards, meticulously assessed their proficiency in managing common ailments, including jaundice, intricate bone setting, and arthritis. This formal validation underscores the efficacy and safety of their traditional methods.
This breakthrough certification opens doors for the newly certified healers to access a multitude of schemes and initiatives under the Ministry of AYUSH. This vital linkage is poised to revolutionise the landscape of indigenous medicine in Meghalaya, fostering greater recognition, support, and integration into mainstream healthcare provisions.
During the certificate distribution ceremony held at the Secretariat Wellness Centre, Dr. Joram Beda, Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, underscored the critical need to weave traditional bone setting practices into the state’s healthcare fabric. Dr. Beda emphasised that such certification not only validates the profound impact of traditional healers but also seamlessly incorporates them into the existing healthcare framework, thus broadening access to culturally relevant and community-trusted health services for the populace.
The Bio-Resources Development Centre (BRDC) spearheaded this transformative initiative. For years, BRDC has been diligently working to safeguard and champion indigenous medical practices through comprehensive documentation, structured training programmes, and the establishment of dedicated traditional healing clinics throughout Meghalaya, ensuring the continuity of this invaluable heritage.
The North East Christian University in Dimapur served as the authorised certifying body for the entire northeast region, playing a pivotal role in this landmark achievement. Prof. Darlando T. Khathing, Pro Chancellor of the university, highlighted that these certified healers are now prominently featured on the QCI portal, granting them visibility and accessibility to a global audience, showcasing Meghalaya’s rich traditional medical knowledge to the world.
Representatives from the Khasi, Jaintia, Ri Bhoi, and Garo Hills regions actively participated in the programme, engaging in insightful discussions and generously sharing their diverse traditional healing experiences and profound knowledge, fostering a collaborative spirit among the practitioners.
This certification serves as a testament to the fact that traditional healing practices meet stringent safety standards, effectively bridging the gap between ancient indigenous wisdom and modern healthcare systems. Officials have indicated that this significant milestone will undoubtedly pave the way for numerous other traditional healers across Meghalaya to pursue similar quality certifications in the foreseeable future, ensuring the ongoing recognition and integration of these vital community health providers.