While data available from Central and State government agencies confirm that there has been a sharp decline in malnutrition-related deaths in Attappady in recent years, the credit goes largely to 506 all-tribal women Kudumbasree units formed in the region three years ago with the support of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
The units, which restrict membership only to tribespeople, are now playing a crucial role in reducing infant and neo-natal deaths, which were once rampant in the region.
Community kitchens
The Kudumbasree units began to run community kitchens in 172 select localities to provide one full meal a day to children below six years of age, adolescents, pregnant women, and those aged above 60 years. Implemented earlier through anganwadi workers, the project had earlier faced criticism for fund problems and lack of coordination.
At present, the kitchens feed 6,289 impoverished people a day.
“In the past two years, the units collected Rs.85,06,387. Of this, Rs.38,05,773 was distributed as micro-finance loans and Rs.1,50,867 was repaid. Seventy youths have been given skill development training in welding and fitting. They are given placements with monthly salary ranging between Rs.7,000 and Rs.15,000,” said Seema Bhaskar, coordinator of NRLM.
The collectives have started major interventions in bringing forth food security.
“As land alienation and change in agricultural practices have adversely affected tribal nutritional security, the mission is now promoting cultivation of pulses, cereals, millets and vegetables on a large scale. At least, 150 units are supplying food to community kitchens,” she said.
The units are also active against illicit brewing of liquor and cultivation of ganja in the area.
Better treatment
It has identified 13 mentally challenged tribespeople and provided them with better treatment and rehabilitation.
“One commendable achievement of such units is the constant monitoring of pregnant and lactating women. The women collectives are not allowing deliveries at homes. They are taking initiative to admit pregnant women much ahead of the delivery date at the Kottathara tribal super-specialty hospital. Periodic medical check-up during pregnancy is also being ensured,” said R. Prabhudas, nodal officer for tribal welfare in Attappady.
“In April this year, there were 60 deliveries at Kottathara hospital. Among them, eight children were very weak but they survived because constant medical treatment was provided. Deliveries at homes without doctor’s supervision is a major problem in Attappady,” he said. Now the hospital has full-time gynaecologists and paediatricians.
They take the lead in hospitalising pregnant women much ahead of the delivery date.
