Tribal Health Initiative

Some of their FY14 activities were:

• Hospital: The hospital has 2 wards where surgical, medical and pregnant patients are admitted. They currently have 4 full time doctors, including a surgeon, anaesthesiologist, and a gynaecologist with a labour room and neo-natal unit. A separate building houses their x-ray and laboratory facilities. Solar power is used for lighting and water pumping. They also have 3 jeeps that are outfitted with ambulance equipment.
• Community Outreach: THI runs a health outreach programme in 33 villages in the Sittilingi valley and the Kalrayan Hills. Each village nominated one married woman to be trained as a Health Auxiliary. She offers advice on nutrition, hygiene, birthing practices, simple ailments, medication, maintains records on health events in the village and facilitates community development and healthcare work. These health auxiliaries gather at the THI campus for two days each month to meet, discuss the health in their respective villages, report births and deaths. These meetings allow for continuing education of the auxiliaries. THI conducts monthly mobile clinics for pregnant women and children under the age of 5 years, which has been significant in bringing down infant mortality rates.
• Farming Initiative: THI teaches organic farming techniques aimed at saving costs on chemical pesticides, increasing farmer’s yields and improving the health of the community. An association of 200 organic farmers has been formed to discuss organic methods and best practices. The organic products are also sold and women Self-Help Groups have been formed to generate income from these activities. THI has established Seed Banks to ensure the survival of minor millets and traditional seeds.
• Craft Initiative: A tribal Lambadi craft initiative where older women teach younger women the tribe’s special embroidery through an exclusive tailoring unit. Their work is called ‘Porgai’ which in the Lambadi dialect means pride in order to reflect the pride they feel in their work, traditions and income generation activities.