About Sampoorna Grama Arogyam(SGA):

Genesis
CDR executed a memorandum of understanding with SERP and the Mandal Mahila Samakyas of Utnur, Indervelly, Narnoor, Jainoor and Siripur(U) mandals for assisting the Village Organisations (VOs) and the MMSs in these mandals to open community governed Health and Nutrition Centres for pregnant and lactating women. The MOU has come into effect from 1st September 2009. The SGA programme hopes to gradually cover all aspects of health of all age groups and evolve a comprehensive community governed Village Health Plan.

Nutrition and Health Centre.
The VO can admit any needy pregnant or lactating woman from the village as a member of the Centre. Normally all the deserving pregnant and lactating women in the tribal village are enrolled. The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, has prepared a nutritious diet plan for the Centres. The VO accordingly procures the daily, weekly and monthly requirements of rice, vegetables, fruit, egg, milk and all other ingredients. Transparent purchase processes have been put in place. The members and the VO of the Centre appoint their own cook. The cooks selected by the VO are trained for a week at the Home Science College in Hyderabad.

All members have two hot meals together at the Centre every day as per the prescribed diet plan. The average cost of daily diet of two meals is 49 rupees during the year. The cost is met from the funds provided by SERP to the Mandal Mahila Samakyas. The members have agreed to repay 75 % of the cost through their savings.

Objectives of the Centre
The aim of this intervention is to ensure save delivery and that every member of the Centre delivers a baby weighing not less than two and a half kilograms. Another objective is to totally prevent infant child mortality (IMR) among the children of the members. Good health of every member is the primary concern of this programme. Members are enrolled with the nearest Primary Health Centre. Every member’s health is checked monthly as per the prescribed protocols. Necessary prophylactic medication including the mandatory iron folic tablets is provided at the appropriate stage of pregnancy. Members are trained in fourteen different aspects of individual health and hygiene. Lactating mothers who also have the same nutritious diet at the Centre are trained in childcare. 100 % immunization is non negotiable. CDR is assisting the community to implement this health programme through a team of qualified auxiliary nursing maids (ANMs). All the ANMs were sent to Jamkhed, Maharastra, where Dr. Arole and his team trained them for three weeks in community management of health services.

Important functions of the ANM

• The ANMs visit the Centres in their cluster every week. They ensure timely medical check- up of the members.
• The ANM gives training at the Centre as per schedule and help the VO to write the expenditure statement.
• The ANM convenes the monthly cluster level meeting of the representatives of the Centres. They exchange notes and learn from peer group interaction.
• The ANM is present at all home deliveries. Every Centre has a supply of delivery kits.
• The VOs encourage the members to adopt spacing practices and undergo family planning operation where acceptable.

The health programme also helps the members to take up income generating activities as per scope and marketability. Cooking spice powders, pickles and groundnut candy are some of the popular activities.