Shillong, July 20: Meghalaya took a decisive step toward eliminating dog-mediated human rabies with the launch of a pilot project in Laitumkhrah, Shillong. The initiative titled “Implementation of Comprehensive One Health Approach to Eliminate Dog-Mediated Human Rabies in Laitumkhrah Area” was jointly launched by the National Health Mission Meghalaya, the Health & Family Welfare Department, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, and the CRE-India Foundation. The drive will commence from July 22 across all hamlets and localities of Laitumkhrah on a pilot basis.
The launch was held at Ramakrishna Mission Dispensary in Laitumkhrah and brought together government officials, health experts, veterinary specialists, and community leaders to put the “One Health” concept into practice, recognizing that human health is closely linked to animal health and the environment.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Paul N. Chyne, Director (MCH & FW) and Joint Managing Director of NHM, said breaking the transmission chain of rabies requires active collaboration across multiple sectors. He thanked the departments of animal husbandry, municipal, education, and forest, along with the CRE India Movement and local community leaders for their support. He noted that while the pilot is a modest first step, the strategic tracking and color-coded collar mapping system supported by CRE India could eventually help scale the effort to make the entire state rabies-free.
Dr. David T. Sun, representing the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Meghalaya, said rabies is a feared disease but is fully preventable through responsible pet ownership, prompt post-exposure treatment, and achieving high vaccination coverage. He outlined the department’s ongoing work including routine dispensary vaccinations, public awareness campaigns, and stray dog sterilization programs conducted with the Shillong Municipal Board, and expressed hope that the Laitumkhrah initiative would serve as a replicable model for the state.
Dr. Harish Tiwari, Director of CRE India, said the goal is to eliminate rabies by uniting multiple stakeholders and breaking the virus transmission cycle by achieving a strict 70 percent vaccination threshold in the local dog population. To address tracking challenges, he detailed a framework using a specialized app with photo identification, metadata collection, and modeling for accurate population estimation. He added that vaccinated dogs will be fitted with illuminated, QR-coded neck collars to help teams monitor immunity levels. Highlighting his commitment, he announced a donation of ₹1 lakh to the mission and said he wants Meghalaya to become the first state in India to be rabies free.
Andrew Dkhar, Headman of Laitumkhrah Dorbar Pyllun, expressed the community’s full commitment to the initiative. He noted that Laitumkhrah, an important educational and healthcare hub comprising 13 localities, currently faces challenges with free-roaming street dogs. He welcomed the pilot and thanked the collaborating government departments, expressing optimism that it will serve as an effective model for the rest of Shillong and the wider state.
Earlier, Dr. Valerie J. Laloo, State Nodal Officer (IDSP), NHM, said rabies is completely fatal yet entirely preventable, and the core mission of the initiative is to ensure no further lives are lost. She said the project is being piloted first in Laitumkhrah to gather practical insights before expanding the model across the state.
The initiative aligns with the global goal of zero human rabies deaths by 2030 under the state theme “One Health, One Future – Together for a Rabies-Free Meghalaya.” Dignitaries present included Dr. Laureata Dkhar, Assistant Director of Disease Investigation, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, and Dr. Pynkham Lyngdoh, State Nodal Officer (NPCCHH), NHM.
With proactive strategies and dedicated civic cooperation, officials said Meghalaya aims to scale the localized pilot across the state to realize the vision of a safer, rabies-free future for all citizens.
