Six women belonging to the Bonda community in the Maoist-infested Malkangiri district have become a ray of hope for people in some inaccessible villages, who are deprived of healthcare facilities.
The women, who have not read much, have set up a health facility at Dumuripada in Andrajhara gram panchayat under Khairput block to where at least 30 Bonda people turn up everyday to avail services.
The young women, Gurubari Muduli, Sanki Seesa, Sukri Seesa, Adibari Seesa, Manguli Kanahi and Mangati Badnayak, had left their formal education midway due to personal reasons.
However, they had a desire to serve their community. A local voluntary organisation identified them and imparted basic healthcare education to them. later, they were given exposure to practical knowledge at Bisamkatak and Brahmapur hospitals. They have been trained to deal with malaria and diarrhoea cases, which are rampant in the area.
Apart from providing first-aid and giving medicines for common diseases, they have also been trained to administer intravenous (IV) fluids and injectables to the patients. Besides, they are also trained in obstetrics care for safe delivery of babies.