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Department:
Information & Public Relations Department
Title: Meghalaya Harnesses the Power of Faith to Improve Maternal, New-born and Child Health
Press Release Number:
14/10/2026
Description:
The initiative aimed to harness the influence and trust of faith leaders to promote positive health-seeking behaviours, strengthen supportive social norms and improve the uptake and continuity of essential health services, particularly among remote, underserved and vulnerable communities.
Despite progress in strengthening health services, gaps remain in early pregnancy registration, antenatal care, institutional delivery, postnatal care, exclusive breastfeeding and full immunization. Human-Centred Design (HCD) consultations across all 12 districts of Meghalaya have highlighted that fear, trust, family influence, social norms, transportation constraints and previous experiences of care can influence health-seeking decisions.
Building on Meghalaya’s experience with Behavioural Insights for Routine Immunization (BI for RI), the workshop uses Mind-Heart Dialogue (MHD)—an approach that connects verified evidence with faith values, empathy, lived experiences and practical community action. It also builds on collaboration involving UNICEF, Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) and the Northeast SBC Alliance, alongside wider multi-faith engagement through the Multi-Faith Action Coordination Committee (MFACC).
The workshop strengthened the capacity of faith leaders and Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) to promote early antenatal care, birth preparedness, institutional delivery, postnatal care, breastfeeding, nutrition and routine immunization. Through their existing platforms, including congregations, women’s and youth groups, schools and community gatherings, faith Leaders are encouraged to address myths respectfully, support families in making informed decisions and connect vulnerable households with appropriate health services
Despite progress in strengthening health services, gaps remain in early pregnancy registration, antenatal care, institutional delivery, postnatal care, exclusive breastfeeding and full immunization. Human-Centred Design (HCD) consultations across all 12 districts of Meghalaya have highlighted that fear, trust, family influence, social norms, transportation constraints and previous experiences of care can influence health-seeking decisions.
Building on Meghalaya’s experience with Behavioural Insights for Routine Immunization (BI for RI), the workshop uses Mind-Heart Dialogue (MHD)—an approach that connects verified evidence with faith values, empathy, lived experiences and practical community action. It also builds on collaboration involving UNICEF, Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) and the Northeast SBC Alliance, alongside wider multi-faith engagement through the Multi-Faith Action Coordination Committee (MFACC).
The workshop strengthened the capacity of faith leaders and Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) to promote early antenatal care, birth preparedness, institutional delivery, postnatal care, breastfeeding, nutrition and routine immunization. Through their existing platforms, including congregations, women’s and youth groups, schools and community gatherings, faith Leaders are encouraged to address myths respectfully, support families in making informed decisions and connect vulnerable households with appropriate health services
Released Date:
14 Oct 2026
pdf/223.67 KB
