The Nochat grama panchayat in the Perambra Block in Kozhikode is creating a model for the rest of the State through its Arogya Gramam project. The project is aimed at accomplishing complete health literacy in the panchayat.
‘Disease-free village through health literacy’ is the slogan for the project that has the objective of creating awareness in every villager between 10 and 60 years of age about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of important diseases. The first stage of the project is to discuss the six books prepared by experts on 50 diseases in all the 17 wards and 220 neighbourhood groups in the panchayat. The service of those working in the public health sector in the district will be made use of in this phase.
The public will be trained in neighbourhood groups during their free time. Through these groups, there are plans to form ‘walk groups’ and to propagate the need for a good walk for good health. Health clubs will be formed in every ward.
Suchitwa BhavanamAnother project — Suchitwa Bhavanam — has also been created in the panchayat based on the concepts of hygiene, health, and prevention of communicable diseases. A three-member monitoring committee under Kudumbasree will visit every household and grade each house on the basis of how personal hygiene and environmental hygiene are followed.
The house that tops based on these grades will be honoured during ward-level meetings. Public places will be cleaned with the help of youth organisations.
Harithasamriddhi, to promote organic farming has also been launched with the help of the Niravu farmers’ club in Kozhikode. Organic farmers’ groups will be formed for the purpose. There are also plans to start Karate and swimming lessons for children to help prevent lifestyle diseases.
