Interaction with the women in Maijan North LineA local villager weaves, the visitors observe While a woman makes clay pots. The village has expert potters.The visitors with the Jorhat Boat Clinic team
A team comprising officials from USAID and SAATHII (Solidarity and Action Against the HIV Infection in India) visited the Brahmaputra Community Radio Station (BCRS) on 9th May 2019 and Jorhat Boat Clinic on 11th May 2019. The visit was undertaken to see C-NES’ interventions in health, sanitation and community media among the marginalized communities. Program Manager, Ashok Rao and Associate Program Manager, Manik Boruah accompanied the team. The USAID team included Ramona El Hamzaoui, Deputy Director; Xerses Sidhwa, Director, Health Office, both from US Embassy, New Delhi and Amy Fowler from USA. The SAATHII team comprised of Subhasree Raghaban, President, SAATHII, Dr Meeta Maher and three state level officials of SAATHI.
The BCRS team organized a narrowcasting program in North Line ICDS center of Maijan TE on 9th May 2019 in which the radio team demonstrated how they conduct field interventions among different listeners group. The visitors expressed satisfaction with the initiatives adopted by the station towards betterment of the grass root communities.On 11th May, the Jorhat Boat Clinic team picked up the team from Nimati Ghat and shown them the activities of Boat Clinic in Salmara village under Kamalabari BPHC of Majuli. The visitors walked around the village and observed handmade earthen pots by women, boat making and handlooms products made by the island dwellers as the village ASHA Bulu Kalita led them around the village. Hand made pottery items were shown as well as traditional weaving by women.They mentioned that visiting Boat Clinic and Majuli will be unforgettable experience for them.
Visitor on Kamrup Boat Clinic
Philip Forth, Chair of the Board of the Constellation, a Belgian organization, which supports local responses around the world, visited the Kamrup Boat Clinic in April 2019. Constellation has worked to stimulate and connect communities through the SALT (Stimulate, Appreciate, Learn and Transfer) approach initially to respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The organization now celebrates the action of communities in response to a diverse set of life challenges – Child and maternal health, village life, sanitation, hygiene, nutrition, education and aging with dignity. It encourages people to dream, to build on their strengths and develop their own solutions to challenges. In Assam this approach of community mobilization has been working successfully in specific villages in lower Assam.
C-NES Participation
(Left)AshokRao,Program Manager and Dr C. R. Hira, Technical Consultant,C-NES at the consultation on nutrition on 30th April at Guwahati organized by Voluntary Health Association Assam (VHAA) in collaboration with Civic Engagement Alliance (CEA). A series of seminars and consultations on Nutrition for infants and young children were organized by Centre for Sustainable Development Group, Assam in collaboration with Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security between 26th April to 17th May 2019 at the Assam Administrative Staff College. (Right) Programme Manager Ashok Rao and Technical Consultant Dr CR Hira at a Policy Seminar on capacity building of frontline workers at Assam Administrative Staff College, Guwahati, on 17th May 2019. Improving child nutrition, health and early childhood development were the focus areas. Organized by Transformation & Development Dept. GoA in collaboration with Center for Sustainable Development Goals ( CSDG) and Coalition for food & nutrition security (CFNS), Jishnu Baruah, IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary, Social Welfare Dept. GoA was the chief guest of the seminar .
Documentary Shooting
Film shooting by Singapore team at Dibrugarh (Right) Bihu at Mesaki sapori for film Film shooting by Singapore team at Dibrugarh (Right) Bihu at Mesaki sapori for film Awareness on diarrheal disease at Udaipur, Dibrugarh while (right )Jojo from the Singapore documentation team demonstrating hand washing as part of personal hygieneAwareness on diarrheal disease at Udaipur, Dibrugarh while (right )Jojo from the Singapore documentation team demonstrating hand washing as part of personal hygieneThe film crew felicitated with traditional Gamochas onboard the Sonitpur Boat Clinic (Right)Nurses from the Sonitpur Boat Clinic with Communications Officer Bhaswati Goswami onboard before taking off for a health camp with the documentary team on 17th May 2019The film crew felicitated with traditional Gamochas onboard the Sonitpur Boat Clinic (Right)Nurses from the Sonitpur Boat Clinic with Communications Officer Bhaswati Goswami onboard before taking off for a health camp with the documentary team on 17th May 2019The documentary team at a family planning awareness camp organized by the Sonitpur Boat Clinic Unit on 19th May 2019
The Boat Clinics at Dibrugarh and Sonitpur were covered for a documentary series “A Medical Journey” from 13th to 20th May, 2019. The series is about healthcare delivery in different milieus – each representing a unique challenge and offering valuable insight into the communities and spaces that they work in. The Boat Clinic episode would focus on providing the audience an insight into the ecosystem and lives of island dwellers along the Brahmaputra and how the Boat Clinics have fast emerged as a lifeline for them. At the same time, the film would look beyond, and see what it takes to get a clinic such as this up and running. The series is being produced by August Pictures Pvt Ltd (www.augustpictures.com.sg). Each episode is roughly 45minutes in duration. From 13th to the 16th of May the shooting was at the Dibrugarh river islands which the boat clinic services and from the 17th to 20th May 2019, the Boat Clinic at Sonitpur was covered. C-NES’ Communications Officer Bhaswati Goswami accompanied the visitors and the health team to Tintikia char. Regular awareness sessions on hand washing, personal hygiene, family planning and others were conducted The district Joint Director Health Services Dr. Krishna Kemprai accompanied the team on the 19th May. Prime importance was given on permanent family planning methods adopted by women.
In Appreciation
The recent visit by the documentation team from Singapore for a film on the Boat Clinics have brought out positive stories like this one. 72 year old P Bhattacharya from Dibrugarh’s Mesaki chapori, originally from W Bengal, could not complete his medical studies years ago,due to financial problems.That has not dampened his spirit. He is well informed about national and international developments through books and magazines. He often visits the Dibrugarh boat clinic conducted health camps to collect medicines for his asthmatic problems. He is an effective voluntary campaigner of routine immunizations of children and ante and post natal check ups of pregnant women. The film crew observed his enthusiastic involvement in the camps and his keen thirst for knowledge. They sent a three band Philips radio as gift to a delighted Bhattacharya who proudly shows it to everyone visiting his tiny grocery store
Home visit for Routine Immunization and Ante Natal Care at Mesaki Sapori May 2019
The Joint Director of health services, Dibrugarh interacting with ANMs and the boat clinic laboratory technician while the SDM&HO of Lahoal BPHC (standing behind) interacts with Ashas on 16th May 2019. The officials accompanied the Dibrugarh Boat Clinic team to the health camp. (Right )Community worker demonstrating iodine salt testing to ASHAs at Dibrugarh’s Charkhulia village
Health camp at flooded Dibrugarh’s Karmichuk, 27th June 2019
The boat trying to locate a suitable place for the camp at Karmichuk(left)Boat crew Vinit Bhutan dislodging the anchor before moving the boat to Kuligaon. The anchor had to be fixed under water as there was no any high ground
The boat trying to locate a suitable place for the camp at Karmichuk(left)Boat crew Vinit Bhutan dislodging the anchor before moving the boat to Kuligaon. The anchor had to be fixed under water as there was no any high groundFinally holding camp at flooded Karmichuk
The boat trying to locate a suitable place for the camp at Karmichuk(left)Boat crew Vinit Bhutan dislodging the anchor before moving the boat to Kuligaon. The anchor had to be fixed under water as there was no any high ground.
On a rainy morning, nurses on way for home visits to cover RI and ANC at Dibrugarh’s flooded Chakia island village on 2nd July 2019.
Dr Rachana Kathuria and Dr SR Thosar, Surveilance Medical Officers(SMOs) of the World Health Organization (WHO) visited Dibrugarh Boat Clinic on 10th June 2019 to review the vaccination status in riverine areas.
An anemia screening cum awareness camp was conducted by the Barpeta Unit I team at Arimara Char village under Poshan Pakhwada on 18th March 2019. The programme was conducted in collaboration with NHM and Social Welfare department Barpeta, Assam.
A healthy new born arrived at Sonitpur’s Tinikur char on 8th April 2019.This was the first ever (emergency)delivery conducted by the district’s Boat Clinic team led by the Medical Officer Dr Nasir Hassan and ANMs Hasena Banu and Bidyabati Das while conducting a regular camp. The team rushed to the home of the beneficiary when informed by the ASHA. DPO Mousumi Dowerah always a support, flashed on light from her mobile phone during the delivery which took over 3 hours.Post delivery the male baby was given necessary care and OPV, BCG injected. A strenuous day ended with utmost satisfaction.
The Zonal Leprosy Officer, Sonitpur Dr Utpal Das giving orientation to the Boat Clinic Medical Officers at West Dubramari char on 28th March 2019 after sensitizing the community of the same char on LeprosyThe Sonitpur Boat Clinic team with Joint Director Health Services Dr. Krishna Kemprai and the villagers of Tintikia char after an awareness meeting at Poshan Pakhwara village conducted along with anaemia screening among Pregnant women and adolescent girls.The District Programme Officer Bongaigaon Boat Clinic Unit MH Modal meeting the WHO central review team at the Additional Director’s office
The Goalpara health team on way to the camp site in March 2019
An awareness meeting and street play on TB organized by the Lakhimpur Boat Clinic at Naali Avanori Higher Secondary school, Mortonsapori. The school teachers and over 350 students participated. The script was written by Dr. Jagdish Goswami, TB office, Lakhimpur district.The play was performed by a group named Suraksh.
Awareness session for pregnant women and lactating mothers conducted by the Kamrup Boat Clinic Unit in April 2019
Deworming campaign by Kamrup Boat Clinic Unit in February 2019 (Right) Women members of the health team getting onboard SB Kaliyani, the Kamrup Boat Clinic on way to a health camp. This boat has been donated to C-NES by Numaligarh Refineries Limited as part of it CSR initiative
Awareness Programmes conducted by the Dhemaji Boat Clinic Unit at Amarpur Village on the occasion of the “World Health Day on 7th April 2019.
The Barpeta Unit II health team using buffalo carts from the river back to conduct camps at a few island village located in the interior areas of the island villages in February 2019.
An 85 year old woman going to the Barpeta Unit II boat clinic for treatment.
A Tinsukia Boat Clinic health camps in April 2019(Right) Awareness session on “World Malaria Day”
IDCF observed by Boat Clinic health teams
IDCF programme being conducted by the Barpeta Boat Clinic Unit II on May 28th 2019IDCF programme being conducted by the Barpeta Boat Clinic Unit II on May 28th 2019
IDCF programme being conducted by the Barpeta Boat Clinic Unit II on May 28th 2019
The Boat Clinic units actively participated in the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight. IDCF consists of a set of activities to be implemented in an intensified manner for prevention and control of deaths due to dehydration from diarrhoea across the country. These activities mainly include- intensification of advocacy & awareness generation activities for diarrhoea management, strengthening service provision for diarrhoea case management, establishment of ORS-Zinc corners, prepositioning of ORS by ASHA in households with under-five children and awareness generation activities for hygiene and sanitation.The goal of IDCF is to attain zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea.The focus is on delivery of simple proven interventions that have large impact towards control of childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality.
ORS and zinc distribution cum awareness on diarrhoea control at Salmora char Goalpara 28th May 2019 as part of IDCF by the Goalpara Boat Clinic Unit
IDCF being conducted by the Kamrup Boat Clinic on 28th May 2019
IDCF being conducted by the Kamrup Boat Clinic on 28th May 2019
Awareness on Diarrhoea by DPO Sultan Nekib at Majer Chat Pt-l under the South Salmara BPHC by the Dhubri Unit I as part of IDCF Awareness session for school children by Bongaigaon Boat Clinic Unit about Diarrhea and the importance of hand washing. ORS sachets were distributed.Handwashing among students as a part of IDCF at Charisiti under Panitola BPHC Dibrugarh May 2019(Right) (Right)Handwashing among students as a part of IDCF at Charisiti island village under Panitola BPHC by the Dibrugarh Boat Clinic teamHandwashing among students as a part of IDCF at Charisiti under Panitola BPHC Dibrugarh May 2019(Right) (Right)Handwashing among students as a part of IDCF at Charisiti island village under Panitola BPHC by the Dibrugarh Boat Clinic teamHandwashing demonstration and awareness for school children by Tinsukia Boat Clinic team at Amarpur island village as part of Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF). This consists of a set of activities to be implemented in an intensified manner for prevention and control of deaths due to dehydration from diarrhoea.Handwashing demonstration and awareness for school children by Tinsukia Boat Clinic team at Amarpur island village as part of Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF). This consists of a set of activities to be implemented in an intensified manner for prevention and control of deaths due to dehydration from diarrhoea.Street play by Goalpara Boat Clinic team as part of IDCF campaignAwareness camps on ICDF were organized at Jorhat districts Bhekeli 1, Bhekeli 2, Missamora, Sengelisuti, Kankur, Kerker and Gopal chuk with good response from the villagers.
World Health Day
Villagers interacting with the health officials
World Health Day was celebrated by the Jorhat Boat Clinic Unit on 7th April 2019 in association with Jorhat district health society and district officials from National Health Mission. The Medical Officer from Kamalabari PHC and Garmurh CHC attended the camp and checked all patients. A village meeting was arranged where problems of health issues were discussed. Villagers took active part in the meeting, the topic of the year being Universal Health coverage. The Joint Director Dr. Amrit Kumar Saikia, SDM&HO Dr. Sashi Phukan along with others were present and interacted with the community. Health checkups was also done by them.
Joint Director Dr Amrit Kumar Saikia speaking on the occasion of World Health DayAwareness session conducted by the Jorhat Boat Clinc Unit to improve food habits coinciding during the mid day meal schedule at Gopalchuk L.P School.On 10th June 2019,the Deputy commissioner of Jorhat, Devo Prasad Misra spent the day with the Boat Clinic team, observing keenly how the team works and conducts camps. He also listened to village problems. He was accompanied by the district SDM&HO Dr. Bimal Pegu, Dr. Bhaktimoy Bhattacharya of TB Control Society, DPO of Disaster Management and others. This was the first ever visit by a DC and he expressed satisfaction to see the work.A group photograph of the DC and official with the Jorhat team
Jorhat boat SB Nahor being repaired in April 2019
Bongaigaon “Salt” initiative
At SALT intervened villages, community facilitators and champions have often shared successful stories and experiences which emerged during the project implementation period. Be it dream building for better health of their children through immunization or education, safe drinking water, nutrition and sanitation, it has been observed that communities effectively took steps through action plan after self-assessment. Thanks to the (SALT) process of community mobilisation, many families are using water filter, they boil water and taking steps to ensure cleanliness and sanitation. Parents are aware about the need to immunize their children.
VHAA and C-NES supported by Constellation, a registered not for profit organization are working (from February 2017) on a project titled “Impact assessment of the SALT (Stimulate, Appreciate, Learn and Transfer) approach of community engagement – a mixed methods study in Assam”. C-NES had been given the responsibility to conduct the project in 30 villages of Bongaigaon district while Voluntary Health Association of Assam (VHAA) have been given Kamrup (Rural)and Udalguri districts. The SALT approach encourages people to dream, to build on their strengths and develop their own solutions to challenges. The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity, in not setting any standards, in enabling people at self-realization and collective action.The photographs taken on 16th May 2019 show field visits undertaken by facilitators team at Bongaigaons Barjhana village (Srijangram block) and how villagers have taken many action after salt intervation
From Radio Brahmaputra
A Community interactive program designed and facilitated by Radio Brahmaputra on ECD (Early Childhood Development) in April 2019 covering issues from conception to age two. Mothers are seen actively participating in the program and playing games and quiz on early intervention and protection through immunization.
Please send your feedback, questions to Bhaswati Goswami at bhaswatigoswami@yahoo.co.in
