Dr. William Singh’s paper examined the understanding of ‘body and health’ in contemporary Mizoram and Manipur. He analysed one of the traditional health practices which involves spirits, and the usage of local medicinal herbs or plants available in the community environment. Stating that the process of healing is not just through modern medicinal healing in communities of this region, he tried to analyze the dual practices of understanding health and healing. He touched on the aspects of spirits and healing in traditional practices, the understanding of concepts like health, hospital and body. He shared the challenges faced by the health and illness sector due to communication bottlenecks and poor health infrastructure, in the states of Manipur and Mizoram. He elaborated on how during the 20th century, there was a constant battle in everyday life between old practices, beliefs and rituals with the breakthroughs of modern science. During this period, superstitious beliefs were constantly battling with scientific thinking and rational views, which were spread by colonizers, missionaries and a pocketful of educated locals.

Pointing out the absence of qualified manpower, specialized hospitals, state-of-the-art medical equipment, regulatory policies and financial burdens, he mentioned that the lack of government policies to revitalise traditional healing practices, and provide due recognition to the traditional healers, is an obstacle in the improvement of health services in the two states.