Sampark realised in the very initial stage that without health improvement no meaningful beginning could be made for tribals' development. With government health system more or less dysfunctional, the tribals were wasting both their health and money as they visited quacks for health services, even as their traditional health system died.

To tackle the situation Sampark thought of re-discovering traditional health systems of the tribal community so better health could be achieved through local herbs and healthy way of life. But this was not enough. It prepared some local people who could make the general peole aware of their health and provide treatment through local herbs. It also prepared health workers for challenging serious problems like safe motherhood, safe deliveries and malnutrition.

Sampark continuously mobilises the government health machinery by acquainting them with the health problems of locals. Immnunisation has been taken up on a large scale leading to an increase in safe deliveries.

These efforts were backed by intensive awareness drives, carried out through activities like health rallies, public health meetings, cluster level health committee meetings, meetings with dais, publication of posters, etc.

Keeping in mind health problems of people, Sampark has promoted Jan Swasthya Samiti, Jhabua. This samiti attracts attention of health authorities towards tribals' health issues from time to time. The organisation has mounted pressure on the State Government by raising health issues at the district, state and national levels.

In 40 unserved villages, swasthya sahelis (woman health workers) have been selected and imparted intensive training on common diseases and their treatment. After training, swasthya sahelis have bene given health kits so they can prevent diseases in their respective villages and provide treatment of common diseases. A tie up has been made with the government health department for continuous supply of medicines to swasthya sahelis.

Reproductive Child Health

Sampark is sensitising the community about RCH issues through counseling and training sessions conducted with the pregnant women, adolescent girls/boys, SHG members, eligible couples, mothers and caregivers. Through these sessions information regarding the ANV/NC/PNC, safe motherhood, first hour breast-feeding, colostrums feeding, exclusive breastfeeding, routine immunisation, importance or rest and appropriate diet during the pregnancy is being disseminated.

On service delivery side, iron (folic acid) tablets are being distributed among pregnant women to overcome anemia. Condom and oral pills are being made available to eligible couples for spacing between two children.

Sampark has established linkage with government health department to expand health services in rural areas and ensure regular visits of health officials in the field. Through linkage with government health department the organisation has ensured routine immunisation of pregnant women, adolescent girls and children.

It addition, Sampark has also conducted different types camps like immunisation camps and health camps to provide treatment or referral services to the identified persons.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS has spread in Jhabua district and taken many lives. People from Sampark’s operational area migrate to big cities like Surat, Ahmedabad, Indore, Ajmer, Kota and metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, etc., and hence there is increased risk of their contacting HIV/AIDS.

Awareness about HIV/AIDS is being created through school awareness camps, meetings with adolescents/SHG members, community sensitisation, counselling session and trainings of staffs/ community.

Malaria

Malaria breaks out after the rainy season because of poor drainage system and lack of institutional facilities. Treatment facilities are not available nearby and families have to travel a long distance by bullock cart or any other mode of available transport for reaching hospital.

Sampark is tackling malaria through awareness generation through discussion in community organisations, social forums and other social structures.

Nutrition

In India, especially in Madhya Pradesh, level of Malnourishment is on the rise. The situation is particularly grim in Jhabua district where early marriage is the norm. Within a year of marriage young girls become mothers, posing grave risk to them and their infant. The situation is being tackled by providing supplementary nutritional food and creating awareness about proper care.