Develop Health Volunteers-
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Physical well-being in a particular village is ensured primarily through promotive,
preventive and curative healthcare. In this regard health volunteers are developed.
They are selected from interested underprivileged women within the community.
Rounds of intensive training are imparted to them before they actually take up
the role of health volunteers. Apart from technical medical training, they are
also trained to establish liaison with government health officials and to
participate in national health campaigns. Upon successful completion of the
training, certificates are provided and thereafter, they commence work.
These health volunteers are popularly called 'Swastha Sohayika'(SS).
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Health Forums-
Health education is delivered to village communities through interactive and participatory
health forums on varied subjects in the presence of young mothers and adolescent girls.
The same is facilitated by Bandhan's health volunteers and Health Community Organizer (HCO).
In order to make the health forums effective, flip charts are used and role plays by
the participants are done.
Some of the issues discussed at the health forums are
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- Diarrhoea
- Care of pregnant women
- Water and sanitation
- Planning for better health
- Pneumonia
- Family planning
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- Quality health care
- Ante natal care
- Neo natal care
- Safe delivery
- Care of sick children
- Breast feeding
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One SS visits around 20 households in her village every day. These health workers make regular
follow up visits to households to reinforce the message delivered at the forums and check if
they are practicing what they are taught at the forums. They spend about two hours in a day
visiting households in their communities assessing household health practices.
Health Kits-
The health volunteers on their household visits distribute health kits containing commonly used
medicines such as antacid, paracetamol, ORS, oral pill, sanitary napkin, antiseptic lotion,
band-aid etc.
Providing linkages / referrals-
The program also includes referral services and links to government hospitals. During times
of medical exigencies or ailments which require expert attention, the health volunteers
link the patients to the local government hospitals, health sub-centers and Block
Primary Health Centre (BPHC).
Health Camps-
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In order to provide holistic support to the poor in the community, Bandhan organizes
free health camps. This initiative was deemed necessary since it has been observed
that the poor frequently suffer from health hazards due to malnutrition and unhygienic
living conditions. Struggling to acquire at least two square meals a day,
these people stand helpless when diseases and common ailments come knocking at
their doors. Complimentary medicines for common ailments like fever, diarrhoea,
dehydration, aches, vitamin deficiencies, and the like are distributed based on
the medical findings. Other than weight and blood pressure measurement, instant
diabetes tests are also conducted during these camps.
A total of 53 health camps have been conducted so far. The total footfall recorded
at the same stands at 13,690.
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Eye Camps-
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Bandhan conducts free eye camps at regular intervals. Patients suffering from cataract
are identified after close ophthalmic attention. Free surgeries are facilitated for
the identified cataract patients. In addition to this, they are also provided with
medicines and eye guards free of cost.
A total of 12 eye camps have been conducted so far. The total footfall recorded at
the same stands at 2,363. 228 patients have been identified with cataract,
with 71 surgeries done.
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Vaccination Programs-
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On being aware about Bandhan's health program, the local government, authorities
have started inviting Bandhan's health volunteers and health team to support
them in their immunization programs. Bandhan's health volunteers have supported
39 polio campaigns so far, where 50,569 children have received polio drops. |
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