Shillong, March 31: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday launched Mission 1000 days to improve nutrition and early childhood development outcomes for growth and development of a child.
Addressing the gathering at the launch of the programme at State Convention Centre Shillong, the Chief Minister Conrad Samgma said that through sustained efforts over three years, the government was able to significantly reduce maternal mortality—by nearly 50%.
Rs 127 crore has been earmarked for the programme, which will provide financial and institutional support to mothers, additional nutrition, training and awareness programmes, and essential kits for newborns and mothers.
Sampath Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Government of Meghalaya, described Mission 1000 Days as a flagship initiative focused on the critical period from conception to two years of age. He highlighted that nearly 75–80 per cent of brain development occurs by the age of two, with children achieving almost half of their adult height during this phase, underlining the long-term importance of early interventions.
The programme also featured a technical session by Dr. Rupal Dalal, who highlighted the severity of child nutrition challenges in Meghalaya, including high levels of stunting among children under five. She pointed to critical gaps in breastfeeding practices, including a sharp decline in exclusive breastfeeding by six months and the early introduction of complementary feeding.
