For the last couple of months, I
and my colleague Shreyas are constantly working in bringing together stakeholders
from various institutions to work on the agenda of safe water and nutrition to
mitigate the effects of Fluorosis in the state of Karnataka. We have been most active
in the districts of Kolar and Chikballapur. In these districts, we have worked
to establish relationship with the Officers from the National Programme for
Prevention and Control of Fluorosis (NPPCF). We have been touch with the Health
Department of these districts. During this phase, we have come across many
persons, whose commitment to work on the issue of Fluorosis is phenomenal.
Below are account of meeting such persons.
and my colleague Shreyas are constantly working in bringing together stakeholders
from various institutions to work on the agenda of safe water and nutrition to
mitigate the effects of Fluorosis in the state of Karnataka. We have been most active
in the districts of Kolar and Chikballapur. In these districts, we have worked
to establish relationship with the Officers from the National Programme for
Prevention and Control of Fluorosis (NPPCF). We have been touch with the Health
Department of these districts. During this phase, we have come across many
persons, whose commitment to work on the issue of Fluorosis is phenomenal.
Below are account of meeting such persons.
In Kolar, during one of the field
visits, we had found cases of Dental Fluorosis in school children in
Malmuthenahalli village in Bangarpet Taluk. We brought this issue to the NPPCF
Officer Miss Archana for Kolar. Very soon, she visited the village school and
conducted the Dental Fluorosis Survey and gave awareness to children, teachers
about the importance of drinking Safe water and having adequate nutrition. She
ensured that adequate attention will be given to identify cases of Fluorosis.
She is in continuous touch with the Primary Health Centers to track the
presence of any cases of Fluorosis. She believes Kolar as district requires more
focus on providing safe water.
visits, we had found cases of Dental Fluorosis in school children in
Malmuthenahalli village in Bangarpet Taluk. We brought this issue to the NPPCF
Officer Miss Archana for Kolar. Very soon, she visited the village school and
conducted the Dental Fluorosis Survey and gave awareness to children, teachers
about the importance of drinking Safe water and having adequate nutrition. She
ensured that adequate attention will be given to identify cases of Fluorosis.
She is in continuous touch with the Primary Health Centers to track the
presence of any cases of Fluorosis. She believes Kolar as district requires more
focus on providing safe water.
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| Miss Archana conducting the awareness session |
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| Miss Archana Conducting Dental Fluorosis Survey |
In Chikballapur, we were able to
conduct Fluorosis awareness training with the field officers in Bagepalli of
BAIF Institute for Rural Development- Karnataka (BIRD-K). Mr. Pandit Patil, Additional
Chief Programme Coordinator of BIRD-K and Mr Nagraju supported us to conduct
such training. BIRD-K has worked on the issue of Fluorosis
Mitigation through rooftop rainwater harvesting to provide safe drinking water in
Tumkur, Chikballapur, Gadag districts, through its Sachetana Program. We look to continue working with them together on Fluorosis Mitigation.
conduct Fluorosis awareness training with the field officers in Bagepalli of
BAIF Institute for Rural Development- Karnataka (BIRD-K). Mr. Pandit Patil, Additional
Chief Programme Coordinator of BIRD-K and Mr Nagraju supported us to conduct
such training. BIRD-K has worked on the issue of Fluorosis
Mitigation through rooftop rainwater harvesting to provide safe drinking water in
Tumkur, Chikballapur, Gadag districts, through its Sachetana Program. We look to continue working with them together on Fluorosis Mitigation.
 |
| Training at the BIRD-K Office at Bagepalli |
We also got in touch with the
NPPCF officer for Chikballapur, Mr Vinod who is young and an energetic person. He
is concerned with the water scarcity issue in Chikballapur and believes there
has to be alternatives to RO Water Plants, which often waste 40-50% as reject
water. He has been helpful at various instances and also in connecting us with
the District and Taluk Health Officers of the Chikballapur. Most importantly he
is open to ideas and want to implement them to mitigate Fluorosis.
NPPCF officer for Chikballapur, Mr Vinod who is young and an energetic person. He
is concerned with the water scarcity issue in Chikballapur and believes there
has to be alternatives to RO Water Plants, which often waste 40-50% as reject
water. He has been helpful at various instances and also in connecting us with
the District and Taluk Health Officers of the Chikballapur. Most importantly he
is open to ideas and want to implement them to mitigate Fluorosis.
Recently, we met the Taluk Health
Officer of Bagepalli, Dr. Satyanarayana Reddy. He is a busy person with myriad healthcare
commitments, but he has a humble personality. On speaking with him, he told “We
are ready to help you guys in whatever way possible”. He intends to do
something for the people of Bagepalli, he doesn’t want Fluorosis to cripple people.
He believes that solutions must be local and bottom up approach has to be followed
to produce results. His team consists of committed officers like Subhaan Saab,
who works tirelessly to provide healthcare to even the remotest places.
Officer of Bagepalli, Dr. Satyanarayana Reddy. He is a busy person with myriad healthcare
commitments, but he has a humble personality. On speaking with him, he told “We
are ready to help you guys in whatever way possible”. He intends to do
something for the people of Bagepalli, he doesn’t want Fluorosis to cripple people.
He believes that solutions must be local and bottom up approach has to be followed
to produce results. His team consists of committed officers like Subhaan Saab,
who works tirelessly to provide healthcare to even the remotest places.
 |
|
Dr. Satyanarayanareddy, Taluk Health Officer, Bagepalli
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