Ampati, Nov 12: Some pregnant women in South West Garo Hills refuse to go for institutional delivery, with the district administration making efforts to address the issue.
Deputy Commissioner Anendya Raajsshre interacted with journalists from Shillong here as part of a press tour organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR).
In the health sector, the official prioritised maternal and child healthcare under the Early Childhood Development Mission, particularly reducing home deliveries and maternal deaths. She said some women continue to hesitate in opting for institutional deliveries due to concerns about leaving their children and livestock unattended, while others prefer home deliveries during late-night emergencies.
To address this, awareness initiatives are being undertaken to familiarise pregnant women with the availability of round-the-clock services at PHCs, CHCs and civil hospitals. She identified pockets under Mellon, Zikzak and Salmanpara PHCs where reluctance towards institutional deliveries persists, while poor network connectivity in certain forested areas poses additional challenges.
Speaking on her assessment of the district since assuming charge in January this year, Raajsshre said South West Garo Hills enjoys a peaceful social environment, with people from different communities living together harmoniously. However, she noted that certain developmental indicators require focused attention, prompting the administration to initiate regular departmental review meetings.
Education
Education is another major priority, with the administration undertaking surveys to identify school dropouts and facilitate their enrolment in special classes to obtain literacy certification. Open schooling is also being explored for those unable to return to regular classes.
The administration is also monitoring the implementation of the PM POSHAN scheme to ensure regular mid-day meals in schools and the provision of eggs at least once a week. While no instances of packed food or direct distribution of raw grains had been reported, irregularities in serving meals were detected in a few schools, leading to action against the concerned teachers and principals.
Raajsshre said the education department has been asked to examine the district’s relatively lower performance in the Class X and XII examinations and submit a report by the end of the year to identify gaps and recommend corrective measures.
Agri-potential
Highlighting the district’s agricultural potential, she said farmers produce a variety of fruits and vegetables but continue to face difficulties in aggregating their produce and accessing wider markets. The administration is working to organise farmers into Farmer Producer Organisations and Integrated Village Cooperative Societies to strengthen their collective bargaining capacity and market linkages.
She said that value addition is being encouraged through local processing facilities, with a millet processing plant and a honey processing plant recently inaugurated in the district. Efforts are also being made to strengthen women’s livelihoods through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), particularly by promoting poultry and piggery farming under the Lakhpati Didi initiative.
Swachh Bharat Mission
The administration is also focusing on sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Mission, while awareness programmes are being conducted to address teenage pregnancies and concerns relating to crimes against women and children, including offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
