The general health status of the tribal communities in Nabarangpur district of Odisha is abysmally poor. Tribals in Odisha state are traditional, conservative and under-privileged people. They are socially and economically weaker and also under abject poverty and live in a subsistence economy and general backwardness. Lack of awareness and traditional beliefs are the major barrier to tribal’s accessing available healthcare services. Poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and high rates of malaria, HIV and AIDS and diarrhoea only worsen the situation.

The poor tribal people have far worse health indicators than the general population. Most tribal people live in remote rural hamlets in are illiterate, trying physical environments, malnutrition, inadequate access to potable water, and lack of personal hygiene and sanitation make them more vulnerable to disease.

Our strategy is to develop health awareness through the voices of the tribal themselves to convince each other to rethink their deep-rooted myths and take better care of their health. DA is involved with strengthening community health systems. It organizes health camps for early diagnosis and increased access to Government Health Services. It facilitates immunization by organizing awareness camps. Our goal is not only to increase access to proper healthcare services and medicine, but to provide education that changes attitudes and behaviors so the community members most actively choose to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Interface Workshop on Adolescent Health:

We selected Peer educators of male, female & adolescents in the villages so that they can educate their fellow friends of Ponduguda and K Samala GP on the better care during maturity period, menstruation period and other hygienic care.  DA planned for the campaign with effect of combing operation, realizing the need of a continuous awareness on the hazards Sexual Transmitted Infection, Urinary Tract Infection, Reproductive Tract Infection etc.  The people of Ponduguda & K Semla GP of Kosagumuda block were sensitized about the prevalence of such a deadly disease that silently kills numerous people during a health campaign in Ponduguda GP.

Interface Workshop on Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood:

DA has been working on the issues like maternal health, mother and children, with limited resources available at the organization, since women and children live within a family and community, their well-being is dependent on the attitude and actions of the family and community. DA organized workshops and awareness programme in Kosagumuda, Nabarangpur and Nandahandi Block of Nabarangpur District on safe abortion, providing training on MCH, MTP Act, promoting safe abortion to NGO workers, ASHA, govt. health providers, etc involving the District health officials & social sector activists. Women need to be educated, motivated and persuaded to join this campaign to minimize this issue.

Interface Workshop on HIV/AIDs:

DA has motivated young adolescent from all its operational villages and formed Peer Educator Groups in order to create awareness on HIV/AIDS mainly. Reflecting the past attitude among these adolescent, it is really a drastic change in their attitude that now they are the key messenger of this deadly disease, HIV/AIDS. Also they are supplied with IEC materials on how to prevent HIV/ AIDS, Know AIDS No AIDS and Family Counseling Guide for leaders of the Peer Groups in each village. Young children within the age group of 9 to 18 are highly vulnerable group, realizing the fact; Female Condoms were also promoted for the safe of women preventing sexual transmitted infections (STI), Reproductive Tract Infection and prevention of unplanned pregnancy.