COIMBATORE, OCT 11
Isha Foundation feted 489 ‘iron ladies’ of 10 village panchayats with drumstick and papaya saplings to symbolize healthy food choices, a release said.
10 grama panchayats including Ikkaraipoluvampatti, Narasipuram, Thevarayapuram, Perur, Chettipalayam of rural Tamil Nadu are celebrating a unique heartwarming achievement: 75% of those diagnosed with anemia in the panchayats three years ago, is now free of the condition, thanks to Isha-AYUSH.
Following strict social protocols, the celebratory events had invited guests and recovered patients who received drumstick and papaya saplings to symbolize healthy food choices.
In 2017, Isha Foundation in association with the Ministry of AYUSH launched ‘AYUSH – Isha Organic Health System’ in ten Grama Panchayats comprising 49 villages. One of the first issues that the project addressed was anemia, a widespread condition in rural India. 654 women were diagnosed with anemia in the 10 panchayats.
Several action plans were implemented immediately to tackle the issue. Door-to-door distribution of traditional medicines recommended by the Ministry of AYUSH, regular monitoring of hemoglobin level. More than 10,000 people were covered under this programme and yoga camps were organised for them.
Appointment of ‘Ayush Sevak’ in every village to provide traditional medicines reaching more than 22,000 people has paid rich dividends.
As a result, 489 of the 654 people diagnosed with the condition three years ago, have recovered – a 75% recovery rate. The AYUSH Ministry’s target of 70% recovery has been surpassed in the 10 grama panchayats.
The AYUSH-Isha Organic Health System is an initiative of Isha’s Action for Rural Rejuvenation which has been working in the villages of Thondamuthur block for more than 15 years.
AYUSH incorporates Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy in an integrated system to bring holistic health and wellbeing, especially in rural communities.
According to the 2020 Global Nutrition Report, 50% of the women in the reproductive age (one in two women) are anemic.
