Jaipur, March 25: A perceptible change in the mindset of villagers about sanitation, health care and nutrition in 13 districts of Rajasthan as a result of training of elected representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions has led to transformation at the grassroots. The Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs) have started playing a major role in cleanliness of the rural areas. Over 2,500 elected representatives in 13 districts were trained in three phases as part of a maternal health and sex selection project sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) during the last three years. Besides, 3,154 members of VHSNCs were also trained and apprised of the need to utilize untied funds available with the Village Panchayats.
Mr. Santosh Kaushal, Project Officer of the Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), which operated the project in association with its partner groups, said here today that the local issues of sanitation and nutrition were being resolved in the villages with the community’s participation and regular meetings at Panchayats.
A large number of works, which were held up for want of finances, were started with the use of untied funds. Mr. Kaushal said the development ensured through these works had facilitated a change in the village scenario.
Sarpanch Ms. Angoori Devi, who is also chairperson of VHSNC of Ikran Village Panchayat, encouraged the villagers to perform Shramdaan for removing dirty water from the road to the local cremation ground. The road was cleaned after the collective efforts of villagers.
The Health Sub-Centre at Bachchamdi Village Panchayat was renovated and the road leading to it was repaired with the intervention of VHSNC. As many as 180 institutional deliveries took place at this centre last year and the percentage of immunization also registered a significant increase.
Tuhia Village Panchayat of Bharatpur district with a population of 8,200 witnessed an improvement in the distribution of nutritious food, while the Panchayat purchased equipment required for rural health care. However, the health services have been adversely affected in Bhador Kalan village of this Panchayat due to the Health Sub-Centre and Anganwadi Centre being run in a single of room of an old school. New buildings have been sanctioned, but are yet to be constructed.
The local community in Udaipuria village of Chomu tehsil collected donations of Rs. 8,000 for construction of a public toilet. The Village Panchayat provided Rs. 10,000 for the construction and the toilet is now benefiting about 100 families in the village. The Health Sub-Centre was also repaired and the pre and post-natal services and immunization were improved as a result of the initiative taken by the VHSNC.
Mr. Kaushal pointed out that the Sarpanch, Ward Panches, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Anganwadi workers in the region played a significant role in transformation of health care scenario, as PRIA conducted regular orientation and training programmes in this area during the last three years.
Ms. Raj Kumari Sharma working as ASHA in Udaipuria was honoured on the Republic Day in 2011 for improving immunization and nutrition. Similarly, the role of Ms. Meera Devi, Sarpanch of Bhuteda Village Panchayat in ensuring regular distribution of nutritious food through effective monitoring was widely appreciated by the villagers.
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