MALARIA is a disease that spreads to humans, mainly from mosquitoes. Even though malaria is a curable disease, it still claims the lives of hundreds to thousands of people (official and unofficial estimates) across India on an annual basis. Mosquitoes breed in tropical climates, which India has, so the risk of children and adults contracting malaria is extremely high. While there are preventative measures that can be taken to ensure that malaria is not contracted or does not spread, a greater effort is required to raise awareness on the importance of preventative drugs and measures to reduce malaria cases – an effort that is being undertaken by the health NGO Swasthya Swaraj Society.
Swasthya Swaraj Society is a health NGO that is based in Bhawanipatna in Odisha and brings healthcare to the poorest sections of society. Swasthya Swaraj Society’s vision is to create “a just and equitable society, free from the shackles of ill health, illiteracy and poverty” and sees investing in the health of the poorest in India as a means to achieve this. This Odisha-based health NGO understands the struggles of poor communities who have no access to medical care or medical information. Therefore, Swasthya Swaraj Society brings medical attention to marginalized tribal communities while conducting awareness programs on malaria and other conditions.
This World Malaria Day, which aims to “accelerate the fight against malaria for a more equitable world”, you can read more about Swasthya Swaraj Society’s noble effort to end malaria in a vulnerable region of Odisha where malaria is known to cause the deaths of both children and adults.
A vulnerable group of 76 tribal villages in Odisha
Since 2014, this health NGO has been working in a collection of 76 villages in Odisha whose population of tribal communities is highly susceptible to diseases such as malaria. In fact, according to Swasthya Swaraj Society, malaria is the number one killer in this region. In this group of 76 villages, which are located in the Thuamul Rampur block of Kalahandi District, women and children are most vulnerable to malaria related deaths. The infant and maternal mortality rates have increased mainly due to malaria and other diseases prevalent in the region and Swasthya Swaraj Society is on a mission to reduce and end these deaths by making prevention and treatment options available to people in this tribal belt of Odisha. To support Swasthya Swaraj Society, you can donate here.
The plan by this health NGO to end malaria
Having assessed the situation in Kalahandi District, Swasthya Swaraj Society implemented a plan to reduce malaria deaths in the region and improve the health of the tribal population. This is a 3-step initiative by the health NGO that includes medical care, community training and awareness programs:
Medical outreach
The health NGO runs health clinics in two of the villages that are open 24/7 for the residents of Kaniguma and Kerpai villages. Swasthya Swaraj Society also organizes health camps for pregnant women and children in these remote villages. To manage severe acute malnutrition in 10 locations, the health NGO has set up community based nutrition centers called Gaon Poshan Gharo. For many, these health clinics, health camps and nutrition centers are the first medical facilities in their villages.
Community training
Swasthya Swaraj Society also reaches out to and empowers members of the local communities, such as tribal girls and tribal women. The health NGO trains at least one woman per village as a village health worker and traditional birth attendant, or midwife. Tribal girls are also trained in a holistic empowerment program and as community health practitioners and awarded a Diploma in Community Health Practice in collaboration with Centurion University in Bhubaneswar.
Awareness programs
To ensure the health outreaches are sustainable and have a long-term impact, Swasthya Swaraj Society conducts community health awareness programs through mobilization meetings. The health NGO also runs health promotion initiatives in 15 government primary schools that aim to improve education, health and nutrition. Through these awareness programs, the children and adults are equipped with vital information to prevent malaria and other diseases.
How prevalent is malaria in Kalahandi District?
In this tribal area, children are most susceptible to contracting diseases that cause death. There are 107 infant deaths for every 1,000 babies born, i.e., a 10.7% infant mortality rate. These poor health conditions are carried through to childhood as well. In a mass screening conducted in the area, it was found that 42% of all the children tested positive for malaria. For children who are malnourished, malaria can be fatal and in these tribal villages, it has been found that 50% of all children under 5 are underweight and sixty percent of all children have stunted growth. This combination of malnutrition and malaria in children is lethal.
As a health NGO, Swasthya Swaraj Society has conducted assessments and found that there are multiple conditions in the area that eventually lead to poor health conditions. Some of these conditions include illiteracy, early marriage, the absence of health education and no medical care, hospitals or doctors.
In addition to that, the villages are located in an area that lacks proper infrastructure to support access to healthcare. The lack of roads, public transport and communication further isolates the tribal population from the resources and services required to maintain good health.
Support the health NGO Swasthya Swaraj Society on Give.do
To help tribal communities in 76 villages in Odisha, whose people frequently die of malaria and other preventable diseases, you can support Swasthya Swaraj Society’s fundraiser on Give.do. This World Malaria Day, your charitable donation can make the difference between life and death for people in this collection of villages fighting to reduce and end malaria.
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Shirley has been in the development sector for over 10 years and is passionate about making a change in the world around her, including adopting dogs and writing to make a difference.
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