Page 34 - Annual Report

ZERO
HUNGER
PROJECT ALIGNS
WITH SDG
Transformative

Journeys

The newborn who brought

a village together

This is the story of a mother from a village in Meanwhile, the Anganwadi worker, ANM and ASHA, And it’s all made possible by the convergence
Maharashtra. together with the Trusts’ Block Coordinator, matrix, which harnessed the collective resources
monitored the baby’s health and breastfeeding and efforts of frontline workers and the Panchayat
She had taken her newborn to the Government
Health Centre after she noticed a red lump on the status. The Sarpanch, AAA and THO utilised Gram for timely action.
baby’s stomach. In a shocking display of Panchayat’s discretionary funds to pay for the The anguished mother is now all smiles as she
negligence, it was misdiagnosed as “just a rash” and surgery at Sion Hospital. states: “I sincerely thank Vaishali Gavate Tai
they were sent home, without treatment. Officials from all concerned departments joined (Anganwadi worker) for raising the alarm within her
forces, determined to save the baby’s life. network, due to which a team including Harshada
But as the days went by, the family grew more
concerned and took the infant to a private clinic. Today, the baby is recovering well and his family is (Tata Trusts), Dr Bhurpulle (Taluka Health Officer)
That’s where the lump was diagnosed as an being counselled on effective breastfeeding and and Gram Panchayat, gathered funds for the
aberration of the baby’s anus which had formed its nutritious complementary feeding to ensure that treatment. I feel overwhelmed by the support
opening through the stomach. It was a serious he does not fall into the vicious cycle of I received!”
anomaly requiring immediate corrective surgery, malnutrition. After all, there’s no greater joy for a mother than
for which they were referred to Sion Hospital, The family is also benefiting from the services of raising a healthy, nourished child. And there’s no
Mumbai. A surgery they could not afford. ICDS, NHM and AAAs to monitor the child’s growth. greater power than the convergence of committed
Devastated, the family returned home. So, although he needs a second surgery a year later individuals working unitedly for a cause.
The mother recalls: “We were disheartened to know to complete the procedure, the baby is now in safe
the cost of treatment and we were losing our daily hands and will be able to enjoy a normal,
wage due to the frequent trips to the hospital.” healthy life.
Thankfully, the Trusts’ efforts to create a
district-wide convergence matrix, enabled frontline
workers (ICDS and Health) and the village
Panchayat members to come together to take
action. An Anganwadi worker highlighted the
family’s distress during their convergence meetings
and also informed the Trusts’ Block Coordinator.
Immediately, the case was brought to the attention
of the Medical Officer and Taluka Health Officer for
assessing suitable government schemes that could
fund the surgery. Using the Trusts’ supported
Village Health Report Card as a convergence tool,
and with cooperation from the Sarpanch, various
schemes were identified.

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