‘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.

As part of the Centenary celebration, Jivan Jyot program was launched in Banni to fill up the gaps in the medical services provided by the government through PHCs under Reproductive and Child Health II program. Mobile medical services were introduced to provide transportation and conduct awareness programs. The objectives of the program were to provide timely treatment at affordable cost, generate awareness on reproductive and child health related issues, capacity building of link health workers, to establish linkages with Sharda Medical Centre for ANC checkups, institutional deliveries and new born care and last but not the least, to establish linkages for immunization and other health services.

The focus was on pregnant women, lactating mothers, new born babies, eligible couples, adolescent girls and boys, Anganwadi workers, Traditional Birth Attendants, village health committees and ASHA workers. Collaboration was established with 74 PHC workers and TBAs. 793 pregnant and lactating mothers, children, young girls and couples received RCH related services through 21 Mamta divas. 77 institutional deliveries took place and 300 children were immunized.

Family planning methods were discussed with 393 Anganwadi workers and TBAs. 435 women opted for various family planning methods. Thus Jivan Jyot program launched in Banni has been reaching out to many women and children to meet their varied needs.