South West Garo Hills on a mission to transform ‘refusal villages’ into ‘promising communities’

Ampati, Nov 21: In a groundbreaking effort to address health and development challenges in refusal villages, a free health screening cum Village Health Council (VHC) meeting was held on Thursday at Indik Nokat Baptist Church compound, under Rerapara C&RD Block, South West Garo Hills. The event, a collaboration among the Health Department, ICDS, Education Department, and MSRLS, aims to transform Indik Nokat into a model village.

The program, organized by the District Health Society, saw active participation from community members and officials. Armand Momin, BDO of Rerapara C&RD Block and Chief Guest, emphasized the importance of accepting health programs and leveraging ICDS and MSRLS schemes for holistic community development. He urged VHC members to hold regular meetings to stay informed and collectively motivate individuals who were previously resistant to health initiatives.

DMCHO Dr. Lydia Marak raised concerns about the alarming number of anaemic mothers identified during the screening and stressed the urgent need for intervention. She highlighted the critical role of family support during antenatal care registration and hospital admissions. The health team also conducted awareness sessions on the prevention of malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, and the significance of immunization.

T. Ch. Marak, SEO of West Garo Hills, underlined the importance of education in fostering long-term community development. He encouraged the community to prioritize education as a tool to shape a brighter future for the younger generation. Meanwhile, the DMM, MSRLS, shed light on the role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and the availability of Village Revolving Funds (VRF) through Village Organizations, which could drive sustainable growth in the area.

With a population of just 203, Indik Nokat achieved a remarkable 72% health screening coverage during the event. A follow-up action plan was established on the spot under the leadership of Dr. H. Barman, DMHO and Member Secretary of the District Health Society. The plan involves regular visits by the District and Block teams during Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHND) and VHC meetings. Additionally, the DCPC of NHM Ampati will maintain close coordination with VHC members to ensure consistent progress.

This joint initiative is a step forward in empowering refusal villages, ensuring better health, education, and economic opportunities for the community. The success of Indik Nokat serves as an inspiration for other villages in the region to embrace change and work towards collective prosperity.

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