Physical Health India Project #1881

Life Saving Treatment to Children in Rural India

by Seva Mandir

Project Report | Dec 7, 2020
Ensuring Healthy Future for Children

By Atul Lekhra | Programme Incharge

Dear Friend,

When 2-year-old Kamla arrived at Seva Mandir's Community-based management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) camp she was in a desperate state. Urmila and Sushila, two of the nurses who run the CMAM camps, were shocked at her awful condition and immediately rushed to her aid. Kamla weighed just 4.5kg and was only 65cm tall - far below the average for her age. She was brought by her mother and father to seek help from the nurses, and it quickly became clear that both the parents were suffering from an alcohol addiction.

Urmila and Sushila conducted various tests to assess her health, and it was found that Kamla was in the category of Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) - the most life-threatening. The nurses provided her with immediate treatment and Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF - a revolutionary method used by CMAM camps to provide food that ensures rapid weight gain in SAM children). The nurses gave medication and RUTFs to Kamla's parents to take home and told them to return to the follow-up CMAM camp 15 days later. They were given clear instructions on what to provide Kamla and how to look after her before returning to ensure that she would begin her recovery out of malnutrition.

15 days passed and Urmila and Sushila opened the follow-up CMAM camp in Kamla's village to conduct checks on children they previously treated, and they hoped that Kamla would return healthier and on the road to recovery. The day went on with children and parents reaching the camp to seek treatment - but Kamla and her parents were nowhere to be seen.

They never came. The nurses were worried that something had happened to Kamla as her condition was so extreme and they decided to find them in the village. Urmila and Sushila contacted one of Seva Mandir's community health workers who knew the family, and they made their way to Kamla's home - though what they found shocked them even more.

When they arrived at Kamla's home, they found her mother lying on the floor, drunk, and her father was nowhere to be found. The nurses managed to rouse the mother so that she was aware that they were there, and they began their follow up checks to test Kamla's health. They found that not only had her condition worsened, but that she was also suffering from a urinary tract infection (UTI) and other complications. Eventually, the father arrived, and the nurses made clear that they were appalled at the condition and made immediate measures to send Kamla to the government run Malnutrition Treatment Centre (MTC) located in a hospital. The parents initially didn't want to take her, as the mother would have to be by her daughters side for at least 10 days, leaving the household to be managed just by Kamla's father. The nurses and the community health worker did not give up and they managed to persuade them to take Kamla to the MTC.

Kamla is now at the MTC, on the road to recovery. Seva Mandir's Balsakhis (women trained by Seva Mandir to provide care to children) make daily visits to her to monitor her improvement. She has already begun to put on weight and is moving in all of the right directions to escape the life-threatening effects of malnutrition.

Seva Mandir's CMAM camps are crucial in providing treatment to prevent malnourishment in the heart of villages to children who might not have the chance to seek treatment elsewhere. Urmila's and Sushila's quick thinking coupled with their comprehensive knowledge and ability ensured that Kamla will live to see another day. The nurses are hired and managed by Seva Mandir and are trained by Basic Healthcare Services (BHS), experts in rural healthcare. Their knowledge and compassion to help children are saving lives.

We have been able to do all this only with the support and motivation from well-wishers like you. So a heartfelt thanks goes to you and all our supporters.

Our best wishes to you. Stay safe and keep social distancing.

Thanks & Regards

Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir Team

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Aug 6, 2020
Fighting against Covid-19 and Malnutrition

By Atul Lekhra | Programme Incharge

Dear Friend,

I hope this update finds you and your loved ones in good health.

COVID-19 pandemic plunges the world into a state of uncertainty but we have faith that India and the world will be able to weather this storm as we have weathered many in the past.

Seva Mandir has an important role to play, and we’re working hard to help rural communities in southern Rajasthan during this time of need.

In our last report we shared with you the steps which Seva Mandir was taking for the safety and security of the people living in its rural areas. But now the scenario has completely changed, people now are aware about Covid-19 and they also know the ways to keep them safe and protected from this virus.

Already, malnutrition is a significant issue effecting children living in our working areas and the current situation has made the situation worse. Most importantly, children already suffering "Moderate or Severe Acute Malnutrition" are now mostly living in their homes without any medical care and adequate supplementary nutrition, and these children will be at maximum health risk.

Malnutrition is not a condition which will wait for the virus to end its game. It will worsen the woes of children and women unnerved by the invisible virus and threaten their survival. UNICEF warned in its report that a staggering, 1.2 million additional children under five could die in just six months in low and middle-income countries due to reduction in routine health services coverage and increased in child wasting [a form of malnutrition where the child is too thin for his height]. Of this, one of the largest death tolls could be borne by India, projected to touch 3 lakhs.

Through our Covid-19 Relief Programme we have provided more than 50,000 relief kits for food, sanitation, storing grain and personal protection. Our comprehensive awareness campaign on Covid-19 has focused on the symptoms of Covid-19, how to protect those most at risk, quarantine methods, and more. Additionally, Seva Mandir is also coordinating with the government to support their own relief efforts.

Our health team is regularly monitoring the health of malnourished children in our working areas and making all the efforts to give all the necessary help, support and guidance to these children and their parents. Our teams are also in touch with communities for any support needed.

We are deeply grateful for your overwhelming support and messages of encouragement. Until now, over INR 6 million (USD 80,000) has been spent in providing relief. Now, it is essential that we look forward and begin the second phase of rehabilitation efforts.

We are committed to continue to serve the communities we work with, and we know you will be too. The world will come out stronger after we beat the coronavirus.

Thank you, and sending our best wishes for yours and your family and friends safety.

Regards

Atul Lekhra and the Seva Mandir team

Follow us on www.facebook.com/sevamandir

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Mar 24, 2020
Seva Mandir's response to Covid-19

By Atul Lekhra | Programme Incharge

Namaste,

The coronavirus has brought unprecedented challenges to the world and effected the lives of thousands of people. At the time of writing, Rajasthan has begun a lockdown of all non-essential businesses and services, as the Government ramps up preventative measures. Yesterday, the country took part in Jantana Curfew (People’s Curfew), which also celebrated the people at the front line of tackling this virus.

Hygiene practices are a weapon against coronavirus. Our field teams are working directly with the communities to ensure they are aware and are practicing proper hygiene practices. Such methods include one of the most important in preventing not just coronavirus, but many dangerous diseases – hand washing. This basic action can save lives.

We have taken all the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our staff, field workers and community members. Some of the measures include:

All activities such as trainings, community meetings and awareness campaigns that involve gatherings have been put on hold
Center based activities such as pre-schools, bridge schools, youth centers, etc. have been closed for the safety of children, their families and workers
Information dissemination in communities and internal meetings are being done through online platforms and mediums
Construction activities and natural resources development has been put on hold
Staff and community workers are now working from home

We are continuously monitoring the situation in our work areas and are in touch with communities in case of any support needed.

We are committed, even during this tumultuous time, to continue to serve the communities we work with, and we know you will be too.

The world will come out stronger after we beat the coronavirus. We urge you all to follow the guidance of the authorities.

Thank you, and sending our best wishes for yours and your family and friends safety.

Regards

Atul Lekhra and the Seva Mandir team

Awareness posters on Seva Mandir's notice board

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