A Concept Note on Mother’s club Mrs Monikha Bura Gohain District Programme Manager National Health Mission Dibrugarh

A drive for community development in Tea Estates through Mothers’ Club A drive for community development in Tea Estates through Women Empowerment with Support from Tea Garden Management and Community

INTRODUCTION Assam is the highest tea producer state in the country with 55% of the total production. About 20% of the total population of the state belongs to the tea growing communities. Many studies on the health status revealed that amongst them anaemia, hypertension, malnutrition and diarrhoeal diseases are major contributing factors to morbidity resulting in high maternal and infant death.

It was also observed that there was increase in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) i.e. 436 in 2011-12 to 404 in 2012-13 (Annual Health Survey) in upper Assam which comprises of maximum numbers of tea gardens. It was revealed that maximum number of maternal deaths in PHCs, CHCs and District hospitals were from the tea tribe community.

Community awareness is one of the way by which we can educate them by forming Mothers’ Clubs in the Tea gardens.

Overall development of Tea community in Tea Gardens Aim Overall development of Tea community in Tea Gardens

Objective Create awareness on family welfare activities among Tea Garden women population for overall community development

Methodology Formation of Steering Committee Selection of Volunteers Training of Volunteers Selection of thrust areas Regular monitoring & Training Discharge of duty

Steering Committee Chairman: Manager Vice Chairman: Dy. Manager/ Asst. Manager President: Estate Medical Officer Secretary: Labour Welfare Officer Supervisor: Health Assistant Members: ANM, School Teachers, Union Representative (President & Secretary), Line Chowkidars

Volunteers green blouse, Bag, Pen, notebook Preferably educated Leadership quality Acceptance by people Worker / Non-worker 1 / 2 per Line (Approx 500 pop / Volunteer) Identification: White Sari /c green boarder, green blouse, Bag, Pen, notebook

Training Prior forming M. Club: Post forming M. Club: 4 days short course with set modules Training by trained Trainers Joint training Post forming M. Club: Monthly during monthly meetings

Thrust Areas Family planning: Sterilization, Oral Pills,Condom MCH care Family planning: Sterilization, Oral Pills,Condom Vaccination Ante & post natal check up Care during pregnancy: distribution of Iron FA Assisting hosp. delivery Breast feeding Care during weaning Vit. A

Follow up of diseases – TB, malaria, GE etc Common Medicine depot ORS Fever Diarrhoea Follow up of diseases – TB, malaria, GE etc Education – school drop out etc Organizing Line meeting, Street play etc. Reporting of birth & death Savings: Alcoholism Communicable diseases: soil, water & air borne reporting & action

Housing, excreta disposal, compound cleaning, School, Hygiene & sanitation Personal: daily bathing, nail trimming, clean dress, Washing hands, storage of drinking water, use of mosquito nets & repellants, utensil care Community: Water, Aqua Privy, Open air defaecation Housing, excreta disposal, compound cleaning, School, Economic:family budget, Common diseases: worms, diarrhoea, malaria, TB Liaison: Social Taboos

Regular Monitoring & Training Weekly meeting: with the Supervisor Monthly meeting: with Steering Committee Update of activities carried out during last month Analysis of activities Target setting for the next month Training on Thrust Areas by Estate medical officer /LWO/ others Performance Returns

Discharge of Duty & casual gathering etc Responsibility rather than duty 24 hrs responsibility: at work, social gathering, & casual gathering etc Regular Line Visits: Twice a week: pref. 3 / 4 PM Accompanied by Supervisor every visit Once a month by Medical Officer & LWO During emergency & other need

Outcome Mortality rate & Maternal Mortality Rate etc. Population control Improvement on literacy rate Improvement on health of people Social harmony Socioeconomic development Reduction on birth rate, death rate, Infant Mortality rate & Maternal Mortality Rate etc.

Reputation in business UNTOLD STORY Healthy Workforce Reduction in absenteeism Reduction in sickness Reduction in unlawful activities Better Management-Worker relationship Cost saving Reputation in business

Special Thanks : Dr. P. Khound Ex- P.M.O. Assam Tea Company