With nearly 50 per cent of mothers in Meghalaya found to be anaemic, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virender Kumar has called for a focused nutrition intervention at the grassroots, suggesting that “Anganwadi centres should be encouraged to have more cultivation of drumstick (vegetable) help in nutrition.”
Emphasising targeted nutritional support for pregnant women, Kumar said expecting mothers should be given “Poshan aahar (Nutrition food)”. He described drumstick (vegetable) as highly nutritious, containing significant amounts of iron, calcium, and vitamin C, which enhances iron absorption. Linking nutrition directly with survival outcomes, he asserted, “We should work to bring down the Maternal Mortality and the infant mortality.”
Official figures indicate that the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) per 1,00,000 live births in Meghalaya stands at 136, while East Khasi Hills has recorded a lower MMR of 111. The district has achieved a 76 per cent reduction in maternal deaths between 2021 and 2025, reflecting improvements in healthcare access and monitoring.
Institutional deliveries in East Khasi Hills stand at 84 per cent, compared to 75 per cent across Meghalaya. The district has also recorded a 61 per cent reduction in home deliveries from 2021 to 2025, with institutional delivery currently at 84 per cent.
The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) per 1,000 live births is 31 in East Khasi Hills and 34 in the State as a whole. East Khasi Hills has witnessed a 33 per cent reduction in IMR during the period from 2021 to 2025.
On immunisation coverage, 80 per cent of children in East Khasi Hills are fully immunised, while the State average stands higher at 89 per cent.
