After the camp (blood tests & health check up) was conducted in the tribal women along with urban and rural women, specially (Pardhi & Gond) community, it was of paramount importance that all the problems in these women during their reproductive life which would cause morbidity were taken care of by taking actions. The test results obtained in 300+ women showed the dire need of correcting Anemia (iron deficiency), Osteoporosis, Osteopenia ( bone health issues), increased blood pressures, low sugars etc. During the camp while taking medical history the major complaints were of severe weakness, general aches & pains, inability to work because of fatigue, lethargy, severe backache, headache, giddiness, tingling numbness in hands & feet, leg cramps, menstrual irregularities like oligomenorrhoea, menorrhagia, disturbed cycles etc
Medicines distribution was necessary & a nurse was required who would explain the doses to the patients by actually visiting them at home & also discuss the nutrition (cost effective) to them which would improve their health status. A GNM a trained &well educated nurse was appointed, 200 patients were selected for medicine distribution & Blood pressure monitoring.
The course of medicines was decided in three doses as per the requirement after their blood tests results. An effective role was played by the nurse as she had to travel to the remote areas where acess was difficult actually. Medicines like Calcium, Multivitamins with essential minerals, Iron capsules & Vitamin D3 doses were decided. A chart for balanced diet was decided as per availability in those areas. Nurse was trained to teach them about explaining the nutrition, personal hygene practices & consuming timely medicines which would give them good health.
After distributing their 1st dose for a month dramatic results were obtained clinically during the visit.The women were very happy to share with the nurse the changes they noticed after following the schedule.Their complains of backache, giddiness, fatigue, neck pain, lethargy, weakness, swelling over the feet & face had reduced thus improving their general health & working capacity .
The second dose of next month was distributed ,blood pressure was monitored at every visit ,diet was stressed along with proper consumption of water intake along with good hygene practices.At the end of second dose of medicines further complains of menstrual irregularities got corrected ,bleeding patterns improved & they achieved normalcy.Other symptoms associated with Anemia ,Osteoporosis & Osteopenia ( bone health ) had reduced significantly. Their appetite has improved with weight gain in malnourished women, working capacity & urge to work efficiently was noted by their sharing.The knee joint pains, leg pain cramps, giddiness, backache, hairfall had stopped completely.
After the third dose for a month given & reassessing them later a feeling of well being in farm labourers improving their working efficiency & health as the deficiencies were corrected were observed.Promising results were shown after completion of third dose distribution. Contribution & well planned ,continuous prompt support of Save Indian Farmers team has helped to complete the project successfully in tribal women health improvement .
Mr. Kadre (Deendayal organisation ) & Dr. Hemant Joshi ( Save Indian Farmers) were the key people in contributing towards the project.
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About the Author
Dr.Manjusha Ghumare is a gynaecologist who has been practicing for the last 18 years in Pune. She also has experience in reproductive endocrinology for 9 years. She is particularly interested in educating women on reproductive health, nutrition, lifestyle and hygiene. She conducts awareness programs, including talks, presentations and free-of-charge testing for women of all ages in rural and urban areas
