Vadodara: Twelve members from the Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN) along with seven members of ANANDI, Ahmedabad visited Deepak Foundation on 2nd December, 09 with a view of learning about the Foundation’s activities related to Safe Motherhood and Child Survival Project, especially VHSC and Sub-Center activities. The FPAN members came as a part of an exposure visit to various NGOs and development agencies in India.

A documentary and presentation on the SMCS Project, package of services provided, and its outcomes were showcased to the visitors at the ‘Sudeep’ training center, Bodeli. Later a discussion was held on the challenges and difficulties faced by the Foundation in implementing the project. “There were a lot of challenges faced during the intervention; one of them being the task of bringing about behavioral change among people. Making them realize the importance of antenatal and post natal care was difficult”, opined Sahjanand Patel, Associate Project Coordinator, Tribal blocks.  

The team then visited Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC), Jabugam where they interacted with Dr. Neeraj Maheshwari, Gynecologist and discussed the types of cases and facilities availed by people. “All types of gynec cases are handled at the center out of which majority are high risk cases. Orofer or blood transfusion of severely anemic women is also done here depending on the case”.  The members were keen to know about the type of medical services being provided by CEmONC and Mobile Health Unit. They enquired about accessibility of the health care facilities for remote tribal villagers.

The team then moved to Tamboliya village, Pavi Jetpur block where Nutrition Health Day (Mamta day) was held along with government staff i.e. Auxillary Nurse Midwife (ANM), Aanganwadi Worker (AWW). Recipe demonstration, blood testing by lab technician, and vaccination by ANM was conducted as part of the program. The team was informed about the Anemia Control Project of the Foundation wherein five rounds of campaigns have already been conducted in the tribal blocks which has brought down the percentage of severe anemia from 12% to 7.2%.  The team also met the VHSC committee members in Gediya village, Pavi Jetpur block and were sensitized about the issues that VHSCs deal with.

The members of the association also shared their experiences of working on issues of sexual health in Nepal. Through the exposure visit they could relate to the challenges faced by both FPAN and the Foundation in the health sector. That health issues were not on the priority list and healthcare facilities in the remotest regions were dismal in both countries was a consensus that could be reached through the exposure visit.