Shillong, Sept 25: The Government of Meghalaya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to improve health, nutrition, and agriculture outcomes in the state. This collaboration will focus on key areas including maternal and newborn health, family planning, nursing education, and agricultural development.
Meghalaya becomes the third Indian state, after Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, to partner with the Gates Foundation in both health and agriculture. The MoU was signed in the presence of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Health & Agriculture Minister Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh. Representing BMGF was M. Hari Menon, Director of the India Country Office, while Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, signed on behalf of the state government. Other senior officials also attended the event.
The four-year partnership aims to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, particularly in health. It will focus on improving healthcare delivery, reducing maternal and child mortality, and enhancing institutional capacity through policy, research, and sustainable innovations.
Under the MoU, BMGF will provide financial and technical support across 12 areas, including primary healthcare, immunization, maternal health, family planning, nursing education, and digital health, as well as agriculture and livestock development.
Chief Minister Sangma expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting its potential to address key challenges and improve the lives of Meghalaya’s citizens. Health Minister Dr. Lyngdoh also emphasized community involvement and the opportunity to create models replicable across other northeastern states.
The partnership aims to achieve three core goals: reducing maternal and child mortality, enhancing gender-focused health services, and building institutional capacity through sustainable healthcare innovations. Digital health initiatives and agriculture programs will also play a key role, supporting small farmers and improving healthcare decision-making.
Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, described the partnership as a significant step toward ensuring quality healthcare and a safer future for Meghalaya. The State Health Society will oversee the activities funded by BMGF, ensuring progress and sustainability, while the Gates Foundation will contribute both financial and technical resources, along with expertise from national and international sources.
