Frequent pregnancies linked to limited economic scopes: Conrad

Shillong: The Meghalaya govt has realised that many young mothers in the hill state experienced frequent pregnancies because of limited economic opportunities and financial independence, chief minister Conrad K Sangma said on Monday.

The CM, who also holds the finance portfolio, observed that maternal and child health outcomes are closely linked to economic empowerment and highlighted the “state's efforts to strengthen self-help groups, not only as an economic initiative but also as a strategy for improving health and social outcomes.”

“Over the last eight years, the number of self-help groups in Meghalaya has grown from approximately 4,500 to nearly 60,000,” he said, adding that Meghalaya is currently implementing nearly Rs 12,000 crore worth of externally aided projects, exceeding the portfolio of many other small states.

The CM made these remarks after inaugurating the three-day ECD (Early Childhood Development) Implementation Science Workshop in Shillong. The event brought together policymakers, development practitioners, experts and stakeholders from across the country to strengthen integrated systems for early childhood development.

The workshop, held under the theme ‘From Science to State Action — Building Integrated Systems for Early Childhood Development,’ seeks to translate scientific evidence, global learning, and policy priorities into practical actions that improve outcomes for children and families.

Drawing on Meghalaya's experience in addressing maternal mortality, Sangma said the state initially assumed that increasing institutional deliveries would solve the problem. However, a deeper analysis revealed that the "real barriers were economic and logistical in nature".

Therefore, instead of investing in a large fleet of ambulances, the govt leveraged existing community resources by creating a system through which local vehicle owners could transport expectant mothers and receive compensation for their services.

The state also established safe motherhood homes to support women from remote areas during the final stages of pregnancy.

"Early childhood development is about health, nutrition, education, care, and economic empowerment, all coming together to give every child the best possible start in life," he said.

He highlighted the creation of the MOTHER programme — Meghalaya's Outcome and Transformation in Health, Education, Rural Development and Social Benefit — which brings together multiple departments around a common focus on the mother and child.

"Investing in our children today, is investing in a stronger, healthier, and more hopeful tomorrow for Meghalaya," the CM said.

Additional chief secretary Sampath Kumar said that Meghalaya is one of the first regions in the Asia-Pacific to implement a comprehensive integrated ECD mission.