‘Health is wealth’ as the saying goes. Socio-economic growth is important for progress of any community but health is even more important aspect, if any individual or community has to flourish. Though government has made provision to provide health services to one and all under NRHM, it is not reaching the poor, needy and deserving, especially in remote and interior areas of India.

Participatory communication initiative for improving access to public healthcare services for rural communities in India under the NRHM was initiated in Gujarat state. Communication on Health Advocacy in NRHM for Grassroots Empowerment (CHANGE) project was undertaken by Shroffs Foundation Trust to be implemented in 83 villages of Padra block in Vadodara district in 2010. Funded by CHETNA the project is being implemented under NRHM in 7 states under the National Rural Health Mission of the Government of INDIA.

The project intends to strengthen the ability of rural communities to access quality public health services through community mobilization and effective use of participatory communication techniques. In the process it would strengthen community leadership, promote dialogue between providers and communities and enable the health providers to inform the community members and community institutions like Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) about the health care available in the community itself.

During the year 4465 women and girls were reached out. 183 health workers were trained on National Rural Health Mission. 1899 women, 4465 women and 9 TBAs were made aware of the program through awareness programs. 119 Mamta Divas were attended by 5467 women, young girls and children below 3yrs of age. Days like women’s day, children’s day blood donation day, HIV/AIDs days were attended by, 445 women, children, young girls and youth.

Thus people in these villages are becoming more aware of the health services available under NRHM and have started taking benefits through them. Not only that, TBAs, PRI members, members of Village Health Sanitation Committees and Asha workers have become aware of their own role and responsibilities. Young girls have started attending Mamta divas to weigh themselves regularly and pick up Upma and Sukhadi packets.