Simple and practical measures can go a long way in preventing the outbreak of epidemics, particularly, in the far-flung hilly areas of Visakhapatnam Agency.
The cultural troupe of ‘Nature’, Araku-based voluntary organisation, drove home the importance of keeping one’s surroundings clean and hygienic apart from ensuring personal hygiene through their ‘dappu’ dance and song so that the Adivasis could understand its significance.
“We use water from the bore wells or streams for drinking as also for washing clothes and cleaning utensils. We also urinate and indulge in open defecation close to the water sources and this contributes to the spread of disease,” sang one of the volunteers in the language which the Girijans could understand, at the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (Adivasi Day) organised at Araku.
Website
Governor ESL Narasimhan launched the ‘Adivasi Aarogyam’ website in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu as part of the Adivasi Day celebrations.
A survey conducted by the Tribal Welfare Department at the Tribal Welfare Educational Institutions in the Agency areas has revealed that around 76% of the tribal children and students are ‘anaemic’.
The tribal children are found to be suffering from various diseases like congenital heart diseases, cleft lip and palate.
The survey has suggested the appointment of an outsourced agency for regular screening of students, identification of anaemic and referral cases, tracking of health record, monitoring of special diet and medication of students. The tracking and monitoring can be done through the web
portal and mobile app on a regular basis.
B. Madhu Gopal