As part of Meghalaya’s ongoing Human Development efforts, frontline workers across the state are working tirelessly to identify and treat children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). In Diengkynthong village, that dedication changed the life of one-year-old Rilakyntin Sohtun.
It began during a routine monthly weighing session at the local Anganwadi Centre. Smt. Aldina Kharkongor, an Anganwadi worker with three years of service, noticed Rilakyntin weighed just 5 kg—well below the healthy range. The Medical Officer of SWER PHC referred her to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), but her mother refused, opting for treatment at a children’s hospital. Though Rilakyntin was admitted and discharged in April 2022, her health remained fragile.
Home visits revealed the deeper issue—parental neglect. Often left under the supervision of a 12-year-old sibling, Rilakyntin faced unsafe conditions, including being left alone near a burning chulha. Realising this was not just a health crisis but a child protection concern, the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) called a convergence meeting. Medical staff, Village Health Council members, Self-Help Group representatives, and the District Child Protection Officer came together to persuade the mother to admit Rilakyntin to NRC Shillong in May 2022.
The collective action didn’t stop there. Four of the mother’s children were placed in foster care at Borsing Home, Sohra, while Rilakyntin began her recovery. She gained weight, reaching 8 kg, but soon after discharge, her condition declined again—proof that a safe, supportive home environment is as important as medical care.
An orientation programme on “Children in Need of Care and Protection” was held at the Diengkynthong Community Hall. The mother agreed to place Rilakyntin permanently with the Sisters of Charity for foster care while she herself joined Swadhar Greh for skill training.
Today, Rilakyntin is thriving at 8.5 kg with a normal nutritional status. Her story is a testament to how community vigilance, inter-departmental collaboration, and compassion can save a child’s life and set them on a path to a healthier future.
