In the slum communities of India, accessing quality healthcare can be an uphill battle. Picture this: when parents fall ill, their children often step up to manage the household. This might mean sacrificing school or even having to work as child labor to cover medical bills.
This is where Vision Rescue steps in to bridge the healthcare gap by organizing health awareness programs. These initiatives revolve around educating the residents of these slum communities about various health concerns, what warning signs to watch for, and what actions they can take.
Ridju Cherian, Chief Mentor for Healthcare Support, emphasizes the importance of ‘Access to healthcare for all’ and in September, three crucial awareness programs took place in the slum communities.
National Nutrition Week
During National Nutrition Week (observed from September 1 to 7), Vision Rescue collaborated with Thane Civil Hospital to address malnutrition, especially among children in these slum communities. Malnutrition weakens their bodies, making them more susceptible to illnesses. Therefore, an awareness session was organized for the parents of Beacon Learning Center (BLC) students, where 46 parents attended.
Nutritionist Shital Nagre, with 15 years of experience and prestigious awards, addressed parents on crucial matters, including nutrition during puberty, the significance of a child’s first 1000 days, proper nutrition for school-aged children, deworming, and the importance of postnatal diet and breastfeeding. She offered tailored preventive care initiatives to address the specific needs of these communities.
World Rabies Awareness Day
This year, Vision Rescue addressed another critical concern in these slum communities: rabies. Stray dog bites pose a significant threat, and the lack of knowledge on rabies prevention is a major hurdle. Many people are unaware of how to protect themselves from rabies. Therefore, on this World Rabies Awareness Day, observed every year on September 28, Vision Rescue initiated educating the slum community. About 36 community members participated in the program, where they learned about rabies prevention, improved their understanding, and promoted safety.
World Heart Day
On September 29, which marked World Heart Day, Vision Rescue organized an awareness session in the slum community. About 56 community members joined the event, all eager to learn about heart diseases and how to maintain heart-healthy lifestyles. That day, a clear message was delivered: maintaining a healthy heart transcends one’s financial status.
The session covered about various heart diseases, their risk factors, and practical steps to make heart-healthy choices. Participants learned about the importance of regular exercise, a balanced diet, managing stress, and monitoring their cardiovascular health. Additionally, the session emphasized the significance of early detection and regular check-ups to prevent heart-related issues.
Vision Rescue strives to sustain more children in education by empowering and educating their families and the community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you – our community of supporters, for making these awareness programs possible in our slum communities.
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Vision Rescue exists to rescue children from all forms of exploitation by engaging and sustaining them in education. We are a registered NGO for child education under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950.
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