Health

India has a long history of traditional herbal medicines that are known as Siddha, Ayurveda, and Unani. Siddha is widespread in Southern India and is the most commonly practised form. The influence of western medicines in India has resulted in a decline in the practise of this traditional form of herbal medicine, which is evident in the villages of the Ponnai project. Improving the general health of the communities living in the project operational area is an important aspect of DEEDS' work. Aside from efforts to improve the daily diet of the villagers, it has set up three specific programmes that concentrate on health.

1. Herbal Gardens

There is one main herbal garden located in the village of Oddaneri . Here 45 plants that have medicinal properties are grown, dried and prepared by Dr Y.T.Rajan and local villagers. Dr Y.T.Rajan was appointed by DEEDS to head the project because of his expertise in the field of herbal medicine and is currently developing the garden with the help of the Agricultural Extension Officer.

The concept behind the herbal garden is to encourage villagers to use traditional, herbal medicines when treating illness and discomfort. It is hoped that this will in turn reduce the villager's dependence on expensive, western medicine that is often ineffectual. In many cases the drugs that are imported into India contain ingredients that were grown in India in the first instance. This is encouraging a return to traditional customs that have been forgotten and is also saving the villagers money. As with all the aspects of DEEDS' work, it is a case of raising awareness in the villages of the benefits to the community of this herbal garden.

The plants include the Papaya tree, which is rich in vitamins, and Mint, which is effective in treating coughs and throat pains. They are grown, harvested and, if necessary, dried in a room at a centre, built especially in Oddaneri, to house the programme. Once dried, the plants are crushed using a pestle and mortar and packaged. The individual then applies the medicine directly or mixes it with either castor oil or water and administers as applicable. The 45 plants can cure, or offer relief from, a wide range of aliments that include diahorrea, insect and animal bites, vomiting, ulcers and piles.

As was noted above, there are many examples of plants that are grown in India and used as ingredients in medicines that are then imported back into India . One plant Phyllanthus niroori is used in western medicines to treat jaundice. It grows widely throughout Southern India and is exported in large quantities. It is one plant that is being grown at the herbal garden and can be taken fresh or in the seasoned form. Another example, Andrographis paniculta, is used in Malarial drugs and for the treatment of snake and insect bites. This can be administered fresh or in the seasoned form. When both plants are not in season, the patient can use the dried forms.

There are plans to establish community and individual herbal gardens in all the DEEDS operational villages in the future and also to grow some of the herbs as cash crops in the drive for sustainable livelihoods.

2. Childcare

Reducing the mortality rate of under-five infants by two-thirds is one of eight key factors that make up the United Nations Development Programme's Millennium Goals. The rate of mortality of under-five infants in India , in 2001, was 93 per 1,000 live births. In order to achieve this goal, and reinforce the rights of the child, DEEDS has begun a programme of pre- and post-natal education in the villages.

Local customs and beliefs on pregnancy and post-natal care often place the child in danger. Local social custom prevents a woman from openly discussing any problems within a pregnancy, even amongst other women. Myths prevail about immunisation, both pre- and post-natal, the effect of weighing a newborn baby and breast-feeding immediately after birth. DEEDS has identified these myths as a problem and has implemented steps to raise awareness of modern childcare by providing full training to a woman member of staff, Mrs Bhavani. She travels to all the villages in turn, meeting with the Women's Sanghas and volunteers, using her training to raise awareness of these modern practices and acts a link to the local primary health centre. At these meetings Mrs Bhavani teaches the importance of immunisation, breastfeeding, a balanced diet for both mother and child and parental care. Gender equality is also discussed, as gender bias is still prevalent in rural Indian society and infanticide of female babies high in rural areas. Other topics discussed include health issues that affect adolescent girls in puberty and the rights of the child. Mrs Bhavani also acts as a direct link between the Government Health Department and the village women, provided information of initiatives and distributing supplements.

3. Clean water

Community problems such as poor sanitation and poor access to water supplies cause many difficulties for families in the community, and are one of the causes of children not going to school: for instance, is that children may have to stay at home to help fetch water. DEEDS works in co-operation with community organizations, government, and other NGOs to identify these problems and work towards solutions. For instance in Bangalore City, the women's organisations have established a direct interface with the Government authorities regarding basic amenities, focussing on drinking water and sanitation. In all of the Bangalore partner communities the drinking water situation has improved; however it is still not adequate to meet the total needs of the communities. Thus DEEDS has been helping the associations to addess the situation through other organisations, for example making efforts to supplement the water supply in Sathyanagar, Bangalore, with the resource assistance of a UK charity, Water Aid, through the Bangalore City Corporation.

• Statistics: “Human Development Report 2003”, United Nations Development Programme, OUP 2003, p209
• Article contributed by ex-DEEDS volunteers, Paul Gunstensen and Stuart Cameron.

The herbal garden, clean water and childcare service are just a few of the many ways in which DEEDS helps communities across Southern India. Can you sponsor our work? Please click here for more information.