Isha launches Health Awareness Program

01 January, 2008

After four years of successfully pioneering primary health services in rural areas of Tamil Nadu, Isha Foundation is moving one step ahead from treatment to prevention of diseases by creating health awareness among people. Towards this, Isha Foundation has launched a new project on 1 January 2008, the Health Awareness Campaign under its Action for Rural Rejuvenation Program (ARR).

The campaign is modeled on three levels: prevention of diseases, early diagnosis of communicable diseases as well as education about the diseases and treatment to extend the quality of life.

Launching the project from the Foundation's headquarters at Isha Yoga Center, Sadhguru said the new project was only a small effort compared to what is needed and called upon the society to support in creating health awareness. "Every individual should take an effort to create awareness about health, diseases, their prevention and cure among their family and friends to create a healthy society."

Initially, the campaign will run across 1080 villages where ARR's Mobile Health Clinics are in operation, out of which 576 villages will be targeted this year. In the second phase, the campaign will be expanded to other villages in the state.

Under general health awareness, the project will help create awareness of sanitation and personal hygiene to prevent infectious diseases. It will also campaign to combat anemia and malnutrition, commonly prevailing among rural population. Awareness, screening and treatment of chronic ailments like diabetes and hypertension will also be organized under the general health component. In addition, special campaigns will be conducted for HIV, TB, eye and dental care with the support of experts from specialized clinics and hospitals and government institutions. Awareness will be created among groups through street plays, audio and video shows and charts.

The first campaign was organized a few days after the project launch in Semmedu village with focus on diabetes.

For more information, please contact: K Sekar, 94430 57565