Health Centres

Begun in 1973, the College's initial health centre was a small, curative dispensary, providing free services and medicines to the villagers. Health workers soon learned, however, that people's participation was far more meaningful when fees were charged than when they received charity. Villagers are now charged a nominal amount for medicines. Health projects were gradually expanded. A team of doctors and nurses began regular visits to villages for routine health examinations. Today, more than 200 health centres serve villages throughout India.

Since 1986, the Barefoot College has been using biochemic medicines. Many village men and women, most of whom have just a primary education, have been trained to administer biochemic medicines. This is fairly easy and does not need advanced academic qualifications. And since biochemic medicines have no side effects, these medicines are also quite safe.

Biochemic medicines are a set of 12 medicines which can be combined and used for different ailments. The Collge has developed 28 medicines using the 12 root medicines. At least one field staff member (handpump mistri, creche worker, night school teacher or midwife) in every village has been trained in this alternative system of medicine and serve as the field centres' svasthya karyakartas or health workers.

Today, more than 200 health centres serve a network of Indian villages. In every village at least one health worker, or svasthya karyakarta, has been trained to tackle health issues and minor injuries. The health workers can give artificial respiration in emergencies, and take a patient to the nearest government hospital when necessary. Health workers also teach villagers about basic health issues, including hygiene, the importance of vaccinations and other preventive measures.

Communication workers from the Barefoot College build community awareness of better health care and hygiene. Family planning, AIDS and other health issues are among the topics the barefoot health and communication workers address with tradional media and health camps. Health camps address specific health needs: eye disease, tuberculosis, blood donation, physically challenged, mentally unwell and other health or family issues. The rural health staff also periodically test sources of drinking water and communicate any problems to the community.

The Physically Challenged

The College has since 1997 been involved in working with the physically challenged youth in villages. The youth have been trained as barefoot pathologists, to make wooden science toys as well as handling computers, working at telephone booths and the crafts shop in the campus. There are 50 such youth involved full time with the College.

The Mentally Challenged

Another new initiative taken up on an experimental basis in 1998 has been the working with the mentally challenged in villages. By organising monthly Mental Wellness camps, the college has since continued the experiment on a regular basis. More than 100 village members including children, youth, men and women have regular access to advice from government psychiatrists as well as treatment and medicine regularly.

From the time a women conceives until her child is six years old, mother and child are taken care of by the village midwife or dai. Every mother receives regular checkups during her pregnancy and appropriate preventive care. She is also educated about the importance of timely vaccinations, for herself as well as her children. The dai also teaches the mother the importance of good nutrition and diet.

Infant Mortality Rates

1. During 2001-02 there were 25 deaths in the ( 0-1 ) age-gr out of 1,473 live births and only 1 maternal death at child birth. This means there were 17 infant deaths per 1,000 live births and 68 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

2. During 2000-01 there were 51 deaths in the (0-1) age gr out of 899 live births and only 2 maternal deaths at child birth. This means there were 56.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births and 22 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

3. During 1999-2000 there were 83 deaths in the (0-1) age-gr out of 1,096 live birth and only 1 maternal death at child birth. This means there were 75.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births and 91 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

National average of Infant Mortality is 108 ( in 1981 ) and 87 ( in 1997 ).

In Ajmer it is 116 ( 1981 ) and 94 ( 1997 )
In Jaipur it is 105 ( 1981 ) and 85 ( 1997)
In Nagaur it is 88 (1981 ) and 71 ( 1997)
National average for India: ( In 1982-86 ) was estimated as 555 and in Rajasthan
it was 938.

Barefoot midwives are trained in proper delivery methods, as well as pre-natal and post-natal care of the mother and the child. In case of birth complications that cannot be tackled in the village, the dai escorts the expectant mother to the nearest hospital.

Social Work and Research Centre
Tilonia, Rajasthan, India