New Delhi: Traditional healers in Meghalaya are bridging the gap between local practices and modern medicine in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), paving the way for a groundbreaking public health initiative in the state.
With 80% of Meghalaya’s population residing in rural areas, often disconnected from mainstream healthcare due to poor road networks and limited facilities, traditional healers have long served as the first point of contact for health-related concerns.
Now, they are playing a pivotal role in TB screening, detection, and awareness.
The Meghalaya government has integrated these trusted community figures into its strategy to combat TB, becoming one of the first states in India to adopt this innovative approach at the grassroots level.
Traditional healers, leveraging their established trust among locals, are identifying potential TB cases and referring individuals to nearby primary health centres equipped with portable X-ray and NAAT machines for accurate diagnosis.
To incentivise participation, the state provides Rs. 500 to healers for each positive TB case detected through their referrals.
Elington Syiem, a traditional healer from the Ri Bhoi district, shared his experience: “When villagers visit my clinic with ailments, I assess their symptoms to identify possible TB cases. We approach the topic carefully due to the stigma associated with TB, encouraging them to visit health centres under the guise of general checkups.”
Such efforts are part of the nationwide 100-day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign, with traditional healers mobilising communities to combat the disease.
Ramkumar S, Mission Director of the National Health Mission in Meghalaya, emphasized their role: “Traditional healers are creating a bridge between indigenous practices and modern medicine, enabling early detection and treatment adherence.”
Approximately 36% of Meghalaya’s population relies on traditional healers for medical care, highlighting their critical role in public health outreach.
Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi, Abhilash Baranwal, noted that engaging healers addresses multiple barriers, including challenging terrains, poor telecom connectivity, and stigma around TB.
“Their participation is proving to be a game changer,” he remarked.
To date, over 1,200 of the state’s 3,500 traditional healers have been trained for TB screening under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).
Pulmonologist and assistant programme officer Dr. Amica Joan Rynjah called it a significant milestone.
“Traditional healers take immense pride in their practices. Convincing over 1,200 of them to adopt modern diagnostic methods is a remarkable achievement,” she said.
The campaign focuses on five districts with a higher TB burden—East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, and South Garo Hills.
In 2024, the state reported 4,573 TB cases, with 867 testing positive since December 7.
Encouragingly, the TB death rate, which stood at 5-6% over the past four years, is now on the decline.
In addition to traditional healers, trained ASHA workers are conducting door-to-door visits to identify presumptive cases.
Self-help groups, with their extensive community networks, are also playing a vital role, as community gender health activists within these groups advocate for TB awareness and early diagnosis.
The state has enlisted social influencers and faith-based organisations to amplify its message.
Ten social media influencers actively promote TB awareness on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, while the All Faith Forum engages religious leaders to reach broader audiences.
