Rural Sanitation and Health

In many rural settings, access to public healthcare options and services are often non-existent. Villages are often removed from many government services and even lack awareness that any medical services exist to serve them. In some cases, uneducated or poor village members lack basic knowledge on health and sanitation practices as well. Since 1995, ODAM has worked to raise awareness on rural health conditions and simple sanitation practices to improve health amongst its local community members.

Hygiene Campaigns and Health Camps

ODAM launched many health awareness and outreach campaigns to connect the rural poor with available government health services. Health camps for the rural poor brought in teams of doctors offering free medical checkups, basic medication provisions, eye inspections and cataract operations, as well as the provision of glasses for KGBV and Hostel girl students. In 1997, ODAM facilitated Reproductive Child Health (RCH) counseling and medical aid for a population of 10,000. With funding from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Delhi), ODAM conducted trainings on maternal care, counseling, pre-natal and post-natal care, and parenting. ODAM connected with the Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISMH) to provide health camps promoting alternative medical care such as siddha, ayurveda, homeopathy, and use of herbal medicines. From 2008-2011, ODAM operated a Rural Sanitation Mart at its headquarters in Tiruchuli.  The Sanitation Mart sold inexpensive cleaning supplies and hygiene materials to help local families improve their sanitation practices.