Anemia Chale Jao - Nischay – 2007

 Aim: Every single Indian female must know her Weight – Height – Hemoglobin level – Blood Group. More than 90% of our female population does not know their height, weight and Hb%. In such a scenario of Illiteracy of Health, how can we hope to succeed in our battle against maternal mortality?

 Background: A survey carried out by Safe Motherhood committee revealed that 80% of females are not aware of their basic health parameters viz: Height – Weight – Hb% - Blood Group.

 From Simple to Complex:  (Known to Unknown)

Weight & Height are one of the simplest parameters to measure. From height & weight the client can calculate expected weight. (Expected weight in Kg = Height in cm – 100. Illustration –If Height is 160 cm, Expected weight in kg is 160 minus 100 = 60. Hence the expected weight is 60 kg.) Being 10% below or above expected weight is hazardous & easy to understand for the client. From these simple parameters we move to complex ones like Hb% and blood group. This would act as a catalyst for developing interest in health related matters.

 Community Participation:

The community can easily measure height & weight. In fact the idea is to motivate community volunteers to do this on mass scale wherever people gather in large numbers e.g. Pandharpur Wari, Ganesh Ustav & Navratri (religious events) in Maharashtra (India).

 Minimum costs:

·         All organizations, small & big have variety of forms for different purposes. These must seek information about Weight – Height – Hemoglobin level – Blood Group. This may be put under the category – optional in the initial phase.

·         Publicity material prepared by the organization should include info about Nischay – 2007 where ever feasible / possible.

·         Permission to put up info about Nischay – 2007 is the least each organization can do.

·         Talk / lecture on importance of Nischay – 2007 by Safe Motherhood Committee member or better still by your own member / staff.

 Strengthening the third Interface:

Let us put some responsibility on the client for his / her own health. Nischay – 2007 is a modest beginning.

 As a start, carry out awareness survey in your own Institution. Start with your own family. Look at your employees and then expand your horizon. By 2007 every women in India must know her height, weight and Hb and that is – “NISCHAY – 2007.”