The Story Disease Tells

In general, “Disease is defined as any harmful deviation from the normal structural or functional state of an organism, generally associated with certain signs and symptoms and differing in nature from physical injury”. Also, a diseased organism commonly exhibits signs or symptoms indicative of its abnormal state. On the other hand, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (WHO Constitution 1948) 

Block Jawhar comprising a population of around 1,50,792 as per TB unit sub-district jawhar. Also, there are 05 Ayushman Aarogya Mandir (AAM) and around more than 40 -45 Health and Wellness Center (HWC). The Ayushman Aarogya Mandir, Jamsar cater a population of around 44, 449 as per PHC record. Also, the center outreached health support with 09 different Health and Wellness Centers at peripheral level. A well-trained medical team along with doctors, ANMs, pharmacist, nursing and admin staffs take care of assigned roles and responsibilities. Every day, PHC provide free medical consultation, lab diagnostics, and medication to the patients from different tribal communities of jawhar. On an average around 60-80 OPD consultation were made regularly. The center is well maintained, organized- National Quality Assurance Standard (NQAS) certified with quality care health services, testing facility, and referral mechanism. The dedicated nursing team took proper caring of pregnant and lactating mother, benefits for various health programmes of maternal and child health and family planning. Also, various NGOs supported the health facility to outreach health programmes and organizational health projects.

Form a detailed discussion with Centre’s Medical Officer regarding the diseases and their changing trends in tribal communities at jawhar. It came in light that non-communicable disease mainly hypertension and diabetes are increasing. The reason for this growth as per doctor’s opinion was introduction of packaged salty food, snacks and cold drinks regular consumption at all age group, tobacco and practice of alcoholism increases at young age, lack of physical work, social media addiction and lack of life style modification among both male and females. the medical. Daily approx 10-15 cases of diabetes and hypertension were provided medical consultation and medication at health facility. There were also daily cases of fever, cold, cough, body pain, muscle cramps, stomach issues etc. Diseases like- scabies is very prominent at all age group but mainly seen in school going student. Diseases like- leprosy, filariasis, and sexually transmitted diseases are also prevailing at the community.

While interviewing with Medical Officer, and nursing staffs regarding women’s issues the most common issues came to the discussion was menstrual disorder like- abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods), menorrhagia (prolonged and heavy menstrual periods), oligomenorrhea (reduced frequency of menstrual cycle/light bleeding, when the period cycle extends more then 30-35 days). They said it’s very common in the adolescent girls and adult females. On an average 20-30 cases of menstrual disorders were diagnosed in a week. Few cases of ploy-cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were also get consulted at the health facility. But mostly such cases got referred to sub-district hospital, Jawhar. During opportunistic diagnosis condition of moderate anemia, and teenage pregnancy has been come in light.

While working closely at the grassroot level with ASHA workers and ANMs thyroid, low and high blood pressure condition were also observed at the tribal community. Snake bite, malaria, and dengue cases are seen only during the rainy season, while dog bites are very rare at the village community in jawhar. At health facility medication for most of the diseases were provided free of cost. The benefits under government health programmes were also provided to the beneficiaries. Also, various non-profit organisation here at jawhar working under the thematic health for the supporting the community intervention and benefits of society. Mobile health clinics and labs for diagnosis and consultation are also provided to highly remote small villages in Jawhar. To bridge the gaps of daily patient’s transportation from remote areas some organisation supported the health facility with additional ambulance. While working parallelly with government health institution some non-government organisation focused on maternal and child health, malnutrition, and anemia. The support from the village community, gram panchayat, and associated primary health canter’s team together helped to create healthy society for everyone.