Stories of Change
HWC Received Water and Electricity!
‘Movada’ Health and Wellness Centre in Ghatanji Taluka, Yavatmal district, is one of the 28 sub-centres under the Community Action for Health (CAH) process. For the last seven years, Rasikashraya has been working to strengthen the centre’s services, facilities, and community participation.
The centre faced several infrastructure problems such as lack of toilets, bathrooms, drinking water, cleanliness, and electricity. Due to the absence of these basic facilities, health staff could not stay at the centre regularly.
Through continuous coordination under CAH and the strengthening of the Jan Arogya Samiti (JAS), electricity was restored after seven years. The Gram Panchayat repaired the toilets, bathrooms, windows, and labour room. Later, under the “Jal Jeevan Mission,” a tap water connection was provided on 18 March 2024, ensuring permanent water access for the centre.
Gram Panchayat Provided Space for the Sub-Centre
Yerad Sub-Centre, located on the Wani–Chandrapur Highway, plays an important role in providing emergency first aid services. However, due to the lack of its own building, the sub-centre had been operating from a rented room on the second floor, causing difficulties for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and elderly patients.
Despite repeated requests by the Community Health Officer (CHO), the issue remained unresolved. During a Jan Arogya Samiti (JAS) training under the Community Action for Health (CAH) process on 31 March 2024, facilitated by Rasikashraya, the matter was discussed with Gram Panchayat members and villagers.
As a result, on 1 April 2024, the Gram Panchayat passed a resolution to provide its newly constructed computer room building for the sub-centre. Within a week, the sub-centre was shifted to the new space.
Sub-Centre Strengthened Through PESA Fund Support
Jamb Sub-Centre, located in the scenic area under Parwa Primary Health Centre, serves a population of 1,326 people. For the past 14 years, a contractual ANM has been residing and providing services at the centre despite facing several infrastructure problems such as roof leakage, broken doors and windows, and lack of painting for over 20 years.
Although the Community Health Officer (CHO) and ANM repeatedly submitted requests to the Gram Panchayat for repairs, no action was taken. In February 2023, a Jan Arogya Samiti (JAS) was formed under the Community Action for Health (CAH) process. During the August 2023 JAS meeting, the issues of the sub-centre were discussed, and repair work was planned through the PESA fund.
Even after two months, the work had not started. Through continuous coordination and follow-up by Rasikashraya, the repair and painting work was finally completed, successfully resolving the long-pending roof leakage problem of the sub-centre.
Relief from the Scorching Heat for Patients…
Loni is a village in Yavatmal district with a population of around 1,840 people. The Health and Wellness Centre building was old, and on vaccination days, pregnant women, children, and patients often had to sit outside under the scorching sun due to overcrowding.
Although the Community Health Officer (CHO) had repeatedly requested the Gram Panchayat to construct a shed, no action was taken. On 21 January 2024, Community Action for Health (CAH) activists visited the centre, and the issue was raised before them. A meeting was later held on 1 February 2024 at the Sarpanch’s residence, where the urgent need for a shed was discussed. ASHA workers played an important role in coordinating this effort.
Finally, through the 15th Finance Commission funds of the Gram Panchayat, ₹38,000 was sanctioned, and the shed construction started on 25 February 2024. Within a month, on 1 March 2024, the shed was completed, providing much-needed relief from extreme heat to doctors, staff, patients, and their relatives.
Restoration of Basic Facilities at Sakhara Health and Wellness Centre
Sakhara Health and Wellness Centre in Ghatanji Taluka serves five villages with a population of 2,118. Due to the lack of basic facilities such as window screens, water supply, borewell pump, labour room door, and electricity, the ANM staff were unable to stay at the centre.
As the centre is located on the main road and many emergency deliveries had occurred while travelling to Ghatanji and Yavatmal, having residential health staff at the centre was very important. Despite repeated discussions at the village and district levels, the repair work remained pending.
Finally, with support from the Jan Arogya Samiti (JAS) fund and financial assistance from Rasikashraya, repair work worth ₹30,000 was completed on 3 February 2024. As a result, the ANM staff started residing at the sub-centre from 7 February 2024.
Strong Support to Pardi Sub-Centre Through the Sarpanch’s Initiative
Pardi village, with a population of 5,000, witnessed remarkable development in its health services under the leadership of Sarpanch Mrs. Alka Devtale. After participating in a VHNSC workshop organized under the Community Action for Health (CAH) process in January 2023, she took active steps to strengthen the village sub-centre and Anganwadi services.
With support and coordination from Rasikashraya, the Gram Panchayat utilized the 15th Finance Commission funds to renovate the Anganwadi building and provide essential facilities such as furniture, a glucometer, an electronic BP monitor, weighing machine, medicines, and other health equipment to the sub-centre. In 2024, provisions were also made for a shed and refrigerator for the sub-centre.