Meghalaya Research Articles

Rural recruitment and retention of health workers across cadres and types of contract in north-east India: A qualitative study.

Background Like many other low- and middle-income countries, India faces challenges of recruiting and retaining health workers in rural areas. Efforts have been made to address this through contractual appointment of health workers in rural areas. While this has helped to temporarily bridge the gaps in human resources, the overall impact on the experience of rural services across cadres has yet to be understood. This study sought to identify motivations for, and the challenges of, rural recruitment and retention of nurses, doctors and specialists across types of contract in rural and remote areas in India's largely rural north-eastern states of Meghalaya and Nagaland. Methods A qualitative study was undertaken, in which 71 semi-structured interviews were carried out with doctors (n = 32), nurses (n = 28) and specialists (n = 11). In addition, unstructured key informant interviews (n = 11) were undertaken, along with observations at health facilities and review of state policies. Data were analysed using Ritchie and Spencer's framework method and the World Health Organization's 2010 framework of factors affecting decisions to relocate to, stay in or leave rural areas. Results It was found that rural background and community attachment were strongly associated with health workers' decision to join rural service, regardless of cadre or contract. However, this aspiration was challenged by health-systems factors of poor working and living conditions; low salary and incentives; and lack of professional growth and recognition. Contractual health workers faced unique challenges (lack of pay parity, job insecurity), as did those with permanent positions (irrational postings and political interference). Conclusion This study establishes that the crisis in recruiting and retaining health workers in rural areas will persist until and unless health systems address the core basic requirements of health workers in rural areas, which are related to health-sector policies. Concerted attention and long-term political commitment to overcome system-level barriers and governance may yield sustainable gains in rural recruitment and retention across cadres and contract types.

Developmental problems of ageing: Case study of Meghalaya

Meghalaya recently has been adding significantly to its aged population. The distinctive aspect of this largely tribal society is its continuation of a social order, which is matrilineal. The women enjoy a much higher social status particularly based on a system of inheritance along female line and matri-local marriage institution. It may therefore be exceedingly interesting to examine the issue of the aged section and care of the aged in such a society that distinguishes itself from the rest not only in North- East but also from rest of the country.

Nepenthes khasiana Hook. f. (Nepenthaceae) from Assam

Nepenthes khasiana , an endangered species, listed in Appendix I of CITES, is the only species of the genus known to occur in India. It is a rare endemic species hitherto recorded from Meghalaya. It is threatened due to several factors including wanton destruction of its habitat by coal mining and harvesting for medicinal preparations.

Profitability and disposal pattern of milk in underdeveloped hill production system of Meghalaya

Though dairy is regarded as integral part of a farm in the country and contributes significantly to the rural economy, the situation in the North Eastern hills is considered to be different as the production system is underdeveloped. Hence, this article tried to assess the profitability and disposal pattern of milk in Meghalaya state in the North Eastern Hills of India. A sample of farmers (300) from two districts i.e., East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi was drawn randomly. The study reveals that though the net return from local was negative, the cross bred animals are highly profitable. The farmers of the state either sell the milk to the consumers directly or to the co-operative societies. Hence, it is suggested that the rearing of CB animals should be encouraged in the hill region which is considered to be underdeveloped production system.

Detection of Peste des petits ruminants virus and goatpox virus from an outbreak in goats with high mortality in Meghalaya state, India.

Aim:We describe a laboratory investigation carried out to confirm the etiology of the heavy mortality (37 animals died out of total 44, i.e. 84%) in goats in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, Northeast region of India in December 2015. The clinical signs observed were abortion, diarrhea, high fever (up to 104°F), pox lesion in the skin, and respiratory distress.Materials and Methods:The samples comprising whole blood, sera, and pox lesion were collected from the animals (n=7) from an outbreak for the screening of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and poxviruses. The whole blood and sera were used for screening of PPR virus (PPRV) by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and antibody by competitive ELISA as well as detection of PPRV partial N gene by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The skin lesions were used for the detection of poxvirus by PCR.Results:The results showed the presence of PPR antigens (58-80%) in the samples by sandwich ELISA and antibody in all the sera samples ranging from 9% to 41% positivity in competitive ELISA. Four samples were positive for PPRV partial N gene. The skin lesion screened for poxvirus was also found to be positive for I3L gene of goatpox virus.Conclusion:We confirm the outbreak of disease in goats with high mortality is a case of mixed infection of PPR and goatpox detected for the first time in Northeast India.

Explicating Ethnic Identity of the Khasi in North-East India through the Lens of the Identity Process Theory

Ethnic assertion dominates contemporary social and political discourses among the Khasi—a matrilineal tribe in the north-eastern state of Meghalaya, India. The matrilineal system in Khasi society provides the context for understanding ethnic identity and gender relations. This paper utilizes the theoretical framework of identity process theory (IPT) to understand and explain ethnic identification of the Khasi. Newspaper discourses on Khasi society and identity are subjected to critical discourse analysis. The corpus for the present study comprises articles from newspapers—regional, national and overseas that informs about Khasi people and their collective life. The paper not only examines the representation of the Khasi in newspaper discourses, but motivational principles of identity, twin processes of assimilation–accommodation and evaluation postulated in IPT are discussed in the light of their identity. Finally, the adequacy of IPT to explain identity threat among the Khasi is also looked at.

Evaluation of hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect of aqueous-methanolic leaves extract of two medicinal plants of Meghalaya in mice

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect of aqueous-methanolic extract of Olax acuminata and Bauhinia accuminata leaves in normoglycemic and alloxan induced diabetic mice. For hypoglycemic study, normoglycemic mice were administered with varying doses of extracts and the optimal dose was selected for glucose tolerance test (GTT). For antihyperglycemic study, the optimal dose of extract was administered to diabetic mice and GTT was also performed. In addition, elements in the leaves of plants were also analyzed to relate the presence of elements to their anti-diabetic property. At the dose of 250 mg/kg b.w., O. acuminata leaves extract showed significant reduction in the blood glucose level in normoglycemic and diabetic mice while B. acuminata leaves extract showed significant reduction at 500 mg/kg b.w. Glucose tolerance was also improved in both normal and diabetic mice on administration of the extracts. The results were compared with those of insulin and metformin which were used as standard drugs. Elements found in the leaves of O. acuminata were Cu, Cr, Mn, Zn, Fe, V, Mg, K, C, Sr and P whereas B. acuminata leaves contain all the above elements except for V and Pb. These mention elements are widely known for regulating blood glucose level. The aqueous-methanolic leaves extract of both the plants demonstrates hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect, thus, could be promising plants in the treatment of diabetes.

Lentinula edodes based GIS mapping, biometabolites and antiinflamatory activity of wild edible mushrooms from tropical ‘sacred grove’ forests of Meghalaya, India.

The biodiversity rich state of Meghalaya, India located in the realms of mega-biodiversity hotspots, is home to numerous species of wild edible macrofungi that are used extensively by the mycophillic ethnic population, as a part of their traditional cuisine and medicine systems. However, habitat loss, due to deforestation and climate change, is destroying the natural population of these mushrooms, depleting their availability to the local communities. In the present investigation, a GIS guided habitat search, using Lentinula edodes as a representative species, was used in mapping the habitats of wild edible macrofungi of the study region. Sampling of around 4 000 specimens per distinct morphological type available in the traditional markets and “sacred grove” forests indicated presence of ten common genera, belonging to nine different families of wild edible mushrooms. Nutritional profiling of the representative species Lentinula edodes was carried out by evaluation of its moisture, total fat, crude protein and carbohydrates contents by standard methods. Similarly, bioactive components determination was performed by estimation of total phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and lycopenes. Bioactivity of the mushrooms extracts was studied using the DPPH radical scavenging and Human Red Blood Cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization assays. The present investigation successfully attempted to explore remote sensing technologies and GIS (Geographic Information System) based system to predict the natural habitats of wild edible mushrooms of Meghalaya, India which we believe will lead to the generation of a mushroom specific non-wood forest resource mapping system in the near future. Results of nutritional profiling and biological activity studies on the representative species of wild edible mushrooms from the studied region revealed that it is a rich source of essential nutrients and antioxidants.

Estimation of PCE values for hill roads in heterogeneous traffic conditions

The traffic operations of hill roads are an important aspect that needs to be understood. In order to ascertain the traffic performance, estimating the PCE values and capacities are critical. PCE values are dynamic and vary with small change in any of the influencing characteristics. These values and roadway capacities vary with the estimation method adopted in the analysis. This study aims to understand the influencing factors for estimation and eventually estimating the PCE values of different vehicle types on hill roads. This study includes a review of various methods for estimating PCEs followed by data collection on hill roads of the northeastern state of India (Meghalaya state). PCE values are estimated based on the three important methods identified. These are, (i) Speed-area method, (ii) modified density method, and (iii) area occupancy method. For the data sets analyzed under the prevailing traffic mix, the volumes were very low and the vehicles are predominantly cars, SUVs and trucks with negligible proportion of two wheelers. PCE values obtained from speed-area method are on the higher side for heavy vehicles and on lower side for motorized two wheelers compared with the modified density method and area occupancy methods. Modified density method and area occupancy methods show different PCE values yet these two methods confirm that in hilly terrains having low level of traffic volume, range of PCE values for heavy vehicles and motorized two wheelers decreases by a considerable extent.

Stahlianthus involucratus (King ex Baker) Craib ex Loes.: a new record to the flora of Mizoram, India

The botanical study of a germplasm, looking similar to Curcuma species and originally collected from the wild in Kolasib District of Mizoram, at the field genebank of ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Shillong, led to its confirmation and authentication as Stahlianthus involucratus (King ex Baker) Craib ex Loes. Earlier, this taxon had been reported from the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and West Bengal (Darjeeling) in India; this report indicates its distribution in Mizoram also. Its description, phenology, habitat and other field notes, and usefulness have been highlighted here.

First report of the Invasive Mealybug, Phenacoccus parvus Morrison Infesting Naga King Chili and its Colonization Potential on Major Host Plants in India

The lantana mealybug, Phenacoccus parvus Morrison (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), although had made its entry in continental India since 2012, however, was hitherto not reported to occur in northeast India. The present study reports first record of P. parvus invasion on Naga King chili, Capsicum chinense Jacquin (Family: Solanaceae) plants in the Meghalaya state of India. During the surveys, the infested plants were found stunted, withered and did not bear flowers. In case of severe infestation, 100% mortality of young plants and seedlings was observed. Being an economically important crop, biological knowledge about P. parvus in relation to C. chinense is highly imperative for devising effective management strategy against this invasive mealybug. We studied basic biological attributes of P. parvus like development times, survival and fecundity on C. chinense and other potential host plants under in vitro conditions. The biological parameters studied on the five test host plants were on par with each other with less significant differences. Developmental time of P. parvus was found to be significantly higher on Solanum tuberosum L. (Family: Solanaceae) (26.40±0.75 days) and Lycopersicon esculentum L (Family: Solanaceae) (26.60±0.51 days) compared to C. chinense (24.00±0.55 days), Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees (Family: Asteraceae) (23.20±0.58 days) and Lantana camara L. (Family: Verbenaceae) (20.60±2.20 days). Overall results revealed that, P. parvus has a potential to cause significant damage to all the host plants tested in this study. The information generated in this study helps in undertaking timely management options for P. parvus prior to its incidence reaches alarming proportions.

New distribution records of lichens for the state of Meghalaya, North-East India

The paper reports the occurrence of 39 species of crustose and foliose lichens for the first time to the state of Meghalaya in North-East India. Porina eminentior (Nyl.) P. M. McCarthy is recorded as new to India. Distribution of each species in India and distinguishing characters are provided to facilitate their identification.

Nutritional Status of 3 Years to 18 Years of Age among the Khasi Children in the State of Meghalaya

Nutritional Status of 3 Years to 18 Years of Age among the Khasi Children in the State of Meghalaya

Emergency and Essential Surgical Care Capacity across Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Institutions in Meghalaya, India: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT Aim This study aims to evaluate surgical care systems across tertiary, secondary, and primary health institutions in the state of Meghalaya, India. Materials and methods The government of Meghalaya conducted the first comprehensive assessment of surgical capacity at three levels of care: Tertiary hospitals, community health centers (CHCs), and primary health centers (PHCs). This cross-sectional survey utilized World Health Organization (WHO) tool for situational analysis to assess emergency and essential surgical care (EESC) to capture health facilities’ capacity to perform life-saving and disabilitypreventing surgical interventions, such as resuscitation, surgical, trauma, obstetric, and anesthetic care. Data were collected across four categories Infrastructure, human resources, surgical procedures, and equipment. Results The 55 facilities surveyed comprised 8 tertiary hospitals, 26 CHCs, and 21 PHCs. A total of 107,962 surgical presentations were reported across all facilities per year, with the greatest number presenting to PHC. No specialist doctors worked at PHC level; there were 1 anesthesiologist and 2 obstetricians at the CHC level. All of the PHCs or CHCs referred do not provide key emergency and essential surgical procedures, including resuscitation, cesarean section, general anesthesia, laparotomy, and closed and open treatment of fractures. At the tertiary level, only 50% provide cesarean section and laparotomy procedures. Conclusion The results of this WHO state survey demonstrate significant gaps, notably in resuscitation, at all lower level health facilities and the absence of obstetric procedures at some tertiary hospitals, in essential and emergency surgical capacity, including human resources, equipment, and infrastructure, across all levels of health institutions in Meghalaya. Clinical significance This study is an effort to identify the strengths and limitations of surgical capacity in the state of Meghalaya. The method of the study are simple and results can be extrapolated to other states of the country or any third world state which can translate into enhancement and redirection of resources for an optimum outcome. Strengths of the study • This study is driven by the motivation of the government of Meghalaya to address the issue of surgical care capacity. • The study identifies concrete areas of need in surgical care capacity in a collaborative effort with the government of Meghalaya. • Given the wealth of information on different levels of care centers provided by the government, specific recommendations for improvement can be made. Limitations of the study • Although detailed, the situation analysis survey tool is not fully comprehensive and cannot be used exclusively for program planning. • Not all care centers were able to be surveyed; thus, the results may be representative of only those surveyed. How to cite this article Chien BY, Singh KI, Hashimoto- Govindasamy LS, Cherian MN, Mehrotra M, Francis PP, Menabde N. Emergency and Essential Surgical Care Capacity across Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Institutions in Meghalaya, India: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Res Foundation Hospc Health Adm 2016;4(1):35-44.

Purposes, Problems and Prospects of Piggery Development in West Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya, India

Pigs are prolific and fast growing livestock that are early converter of feed and food waste to valuable products and its rearing among the tribes of the North-East Region (NER) is prevailing since time immemorial. A study was taken up in the West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya to understand the purposes, problems and prospects of Piggery Development in the state of Meghalaya where pork is one of the best preferred meats for all sections of the population. A structured, pre-tested, reliable and valid interview schedule was used to interview 100 randomly selected pig farmers from two Development Blocks namely, Laskein and Thadlaskein blocks where pig farming was in higher concentration. Areas such asrecycling waste food (100.00%), additional income (99.00%), mark of insurance (97.00%), profit in short time (96.00%) and primary income (50.00%) were identified as the purposes of pig rearing. Problems of concentrate feed (99.00%), medicines and vaccines (97.00%), input supply (95.00%), economic problem (94.00%), non-availability of feed and fodder (93.00%), transportation (93.00%), access to market (88.00%), absence of cooperatives/self-help groups (SHGs) (85.00%), market place (76.00%) and bank linkages (58.00%) were the major concerns. Making provisions of feed, water, treatment, linkages and marketing could be able to make the piggery sector prosper in the state. The results issued that interdisciplinary approaches could do well with farming, marketing, linkage, convergence and other related issues.

Floriculture Industries, Opportunities and Challenges in Indian Hills

The hill regions of India include Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Uttarakhand and the North Eastern region (NE) comprising states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, has been identified as a potential area for the development of floriculture owing to its diverse geo-climatic conditions and floral biodiversity. The existing flower crops in NE region include orchids, roses, lilies, bulbous ornamentals, bird of paradise, gerbera, marigold, tuberose, begonia, dahlia, etc. Out of 1331 species of orchids reported, 856 species are found in this region including rare and endangered species of other ornamentals also. State wise floricultural activities, infrastructure, marketing and transport facilities, constraints, opportunities and relevant strategies discussed in details for the region.

Characterizations of soil at different landforms in hilly areas of Meghalaya state

Characterizations of soil at different landforms in hilly areas of Meghalaya state

Capital-Labour Conflict: A Case of Assam's Tea Industry

Assam is located in the North-East of India surrounded by seven states viz. West Bengal, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. It also shares its boundaries with two countries viz. Bangladesh and Bhutan. Tea industry plays a very vital role in Assam as far as state economy is concerned. It produces more than 50 percent of the total tea produced in the country. Both management and workers have significant role in the development of the industry; unfortunately, no association or branch exists to monitor the welfare of workers and functions of management at the state government level. However, the Chief Minister of Assam, Mr. Tarun Gogoi, recently pronounced a new unit solely to look after the welfare measures and development of tea workers.

Restoring and Conserving Khasi Forests: A Community-Based REDD Strategy from Northeast India

An initiative to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) was launched in December 2007 at the Bali Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), yet little progress has been made in Asia in developing certified REDD projects, especially those that engage forest-dependent people. According to UNFCCC, REDD is a multilevel activity that involves both national policy and structures, as well as subnational projects involving local communities [1]. While many Asian nations are trying to create frameworks that link the national strategy to sub-national projects, in India this formal integration has yet to take place. As a consequence projects like the Khasi Hills Community REDD+ project fall outside the UNFCCC strategy and operate under voluntary standards (Plan Vivo) and markets. The project involves both avoided deforestation and reforestation components. The project is being implemented by a federation of ten Khasi tribal kingdoms, a major ethnolinguistic group in the Indian state of Meghalaya. Project experience may provide guidance regarding actions required to create a more enabling environment for community forest carbon projects in Asia. These findings may better inform the December 2015 21st UNFCCC Conference of Parties in Paris as they again address REDD strategy. The experience of this Khasi Federation [2] in designing and implementing a REDD project has led to the emergence of a modernizing forest management system that is helping to conserve and restore the Khasi’s ancestral forests. Learning from this REDD project also illustrates the barriers that the Khasi communities have faced, including those imposed by national governments, certifiers, and carbon markets, that will likely constrain the expansion and replication of community-based climate initiatives. The author suggests some alternative policies and systems that may enable greater community participation in REDD projects.

Huperzia kingdonwardiana and H. meghalaica (Lycopodiaceae), two new lycopods from North-East India and Myanmar

An overlooked but spectacular species of Huperzia from higher altitude in North-East India and North Myanmar is distinguished by its very long, linear, strongly downward-deflexed, grey leaves, which then angle upwards in their apical halves. It is named here as Huperzia kingdonwardiana Fraser-Jenk., after one of its collectors, the remarkable British botanist and plantsman, Frank Kingdon Ward. It was firstbrought to notice by Fraser-Jenkins (2008) during the ongoing preparation of a checklist of pteridophytes of Arunachal Pradesh State, and was then identified by the present author as H. quasipolytrichoides (Hayata) Ching, in error, influenced by the poor illustration given for that species by Nessel (1939). Subsequently it was reidentified by the present author at BM under the present name in Jan. 2012, which he had first coined for it in 2002 on recognising it as a species previously unknown in India. It differs from H. quasipolytrichoides from Taiwan and East China in itsobviously longer, narrower leaves that arch upwards more strongly above the deflexed basal part of the leaf, and in its wider branches. A further previously unrecognised species from the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya State, North-East India, is described as H. meghalaica Fraser-Jenk., and is similar to a longer-leaved H. pulcherrima (Wall. ex Hook. & Grev.) Pich.-Serm.