What happens when an entire state puts its faith in the hands of its people? Meghalaya’s groundbreaking initiative, “Building Purpose and Leadership Among Government & Citizens to Transform Health”, has proven that when communities lead the way, lives are saved — and the world takes notice. This extraordinary effort has now been recognized as a Jury Favourite at the Creative Bureaucracy Festival 2025!
A Spotlight on Innovation
On 13 March 2025, global changemakers gathered for the festival’s Digital Kick-Off Day, where Meghalaya proudly took centre stage. The session, titled “Jury Favourite Interview: Purpose & Leadership to Save Lives, Meghalaya, India”, featured an exclusive conversation with Mr Sampath Kumar, IAS, Development Commissioner, Government of Meghalaya, moderated by Anke Gruendel and Chikako Masuda.
🔗 Missed the event? Watch the live stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjFvL4Pf23Y
Why This Project Matters
Meghalaya faced an urgent public health crisis: high maternal mortality rates and geographical challenges with 6,000 remote villages scattered across rugged terrain. Traditional top-down interventions weren’t reaching those most in need.
In response, the State Capability Enhancement Project (SCEP) under the Government Innovation Lab spearheaded a bold transformation — shifting power to the communities themselves.
The approach centered on three pillars:
- Empowering local leadership: Establishing Village Health Councils (VHCs) to give communities a voice and leadership in addressing their unique health challenges.
- Cross-sectoral collaboration: Forming teams that bridged health, social welfare, and local governance — fostering trust and breaking silos.
- Citizen-driven innovation: Encouraging communities to create localized solutions, like citizen-run transit homesfor expectant mothers to ensure timely access to healthcare.
The Impact: Lives Transformed
The results speak for themselves: Meghalaya’s maternal mortality rate dropped by nearly 50% between 2021 and 2023 — a testament to what’s possible when communities lead the way.
This recognition at the Creative Bureaucracy Festival 2025 not only celebrates Meghalaya’s journey but also shines a light on how purpose-driven leadership and community empowerment can transform public health governance — and save lives.
Proudly presented by: The State Capability Enhancement Project, Government Innovation Lab, Government of Meghalaya | India