Significant public health and educational milestone
REGIONAL: In a significant public health and educational milestone, Meghalaya has emerged as the first state in India to certify 86% of its schools as Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI), the highest percentage in the country. This achievement is crucial, as the state faces approximately 8,000 tobacco-related deaths annually and has 47% of adults aged 15 and above using tobacco, based on the 2017 Global Adult Tobacco Survey.
To address this, the Government of Meghalaya launched the ToFEI program three years ago under the National Health Mission, collaborating with the Departments of Health and Education as well as the Sambandh Health Foundation with an objective to eliminate tobacco use in schools across the state.
Under the guidelines established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, each participating school must engage in nine anti-tobacco activities and achieve at least 80 marks on a 100-mark scorecard to earn the ToFEI certification. Activities encompass implementing anti-tobacco signage, conducting awareness campaigns, organizing student rallies and adherence to tobacco control measures, thereby ensuring a safe and supportive school environment free from addiction.
Yearly, around 10,000 schools in Meghalaya take part in initiatives like rallies, campaigns and awareness drives, fostering a statewide culture that discourages tobacco use among children.
The accomplishment was made possible through effective leadership and coordinated efforts from the Government of Meghalaya, particularly from the Departments of Health and Education, alongside local district, block, and cluster officials who provided systematic oversight and accountability. The implementation of Sambandh Health Foundation’s Digital Program Management approach has played a pivotal role in this initiative.
Jennyfer Jones Synrem, the State ToFEI Nodal Officer, hailed this achievement as not just an administrative victory but a significant public health triumph for the youth of the state, aligning with the vision of a 'Tobacco-Free Meghalaya.' She emphasized that when governance, educational institutions, and communities collaborate effectively, transformative results can be achieved.
Dr Nabaneeta D Mawrie, the State Nodal Officer of the National Tobacco Control Program, highlighted the alarming statistic that 34% of children aged 13 to 15 use tobacco in various forms per the Global Youth Tobacco Survey. She underlined that schools play a crucial role in shaping lifelong habits and institutionalizing tobacco prevention within the educational ecosystem will create safer learning environments and protect future generations from the perils of addiction and tobacco-related illnesses.
The extensive reach and scale of the initiatives are expected to yield long-term health benefits for the entire state.
This unprecedented achievement not only raises the bar nationally but also exemplifies the power of collaboration among governance systems, educational institutions and communities in working towards a shared objective of promoting healthier environments for children.