Bodhi Health Education, Gurgaon based organisation concluded the two Day Technology based training in Maternal and Child Health for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) working under National Health Mission (NHM). 

It is for the first time a residential training programme for ASHAs has been successfully organised by the support of Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Devachan Leh in two batches from September 22nd to 25th.

 

It was attended by 36 ASHAs from Leh and Kharu blocks. The key highlight of this training program was the use of mobile technology where each ASHA was provided an android tablet during the 2 day training period. 

Complex medical topics were explained with illustrations depicting local population in Bhoti. This made the content highly engaging and interactive for the ASHAs. The video content was supplemented with a flipbook which was prepared by Bodhi Health Education with the valuable support of Health Department, Leh. The book explains the topics of maternal and child health with the use of pictures and text in Bhoti. This is the first of its kind in Ladakh. 

Dr. Yangchan Dolma, Chief Medical Officer, Leh said, “Antenatal care should reach to the remotest village in Ladakh so that situations in which there is a risk to pregnant mothers can be avoided. It does not end at taking the training, everyone must work hard. This training provided by Bodhi with the use of technology has been different from the classroom trainings provided by the Health Department and I hope that ASHAs have benefited from this the most.”

Community Health Officer, Mr. Aman Ullah in his address said that ASHAs should work towards maintaining the low MMR and IMR in Ladakh. The flipbook which has been provided to them in Bhoti during this training will help them in sharing the health messages among the communities.”

The work on this initiative began in July led by Deachen Spalzes – Head Operations, Special Zones, Bodhi Health Education. A local team comprising of illustrators, script writers and voice over artists was recruited by Bodhi Health Education at Leh.

At the closing ceremony Deachen Spalzes, Head Operation, Bodhi Health Education said, “Being a native, I understand the challenges faced by the people of my region. I would like to continuously work towards the improvement of the lives of people.”

Abhinav Girdhar, Chief Executive Officer at Bodhi Health Education said, “The Government on their part is leaving no stone unturned for the improvement of the most important health indicators such as the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). MMR and IMR are the lowest in Ladakh compared to the rest of the country. Various NGOs have been supporting the cause in the best way possible. It is now time to use technology in an innovative way such that these initiatives can be made effective and efficient. Through such interventions our attempt will be such that Ladakh can set an example in India in terms of healthcare for mother and new born” 

He also said that Bodhi Health Education is committed to the region and will be closely working with the Health Department, Leh to organise training programs for frontline healthcare professionals every year.