Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, March 25: MANSI – Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative – is now synonymous to the wellbeing of pregnant and new mothers along with their newborn infants. Over the last decade, this initiative has helped many families, in the Kolhan region, grow and work towards their physical wellbeing at the face of adversity. To add perspective, the Kolhan division comprises of 3 districts – with 38 blocks and a population of 40 lakhs. So far, the MANSI initiative has reached nearly 3 lakh population in the Kolhan division.
Apart from medical assistance, MANSI plays a significant role in promoting the idea of nutrition among adolescents, lactating mothers, infants, and children. Kitchen Garden is one such example of instilling the concept and importance of nutrition among the indigenous communities. At the heart of the MANSI initiative stands the frontline workers, whom we know as Sahiyya Saathis or MANSI Mitras or ASHA didis – who undergo medical training in different aspects related to pregnancy and child health.
Bringing to light one such heart-warming story of a bond between a Sahiyya and a new mother that gave a new life to a premature baby boy.
After a peaceful seven months of gestation period, Sanju Kewart, a resident of Dugdha panchayat, had her baby boy on a January morning, almost two months in advance. Being premature, the newborn had difficulty breathing and his body was turning blue. At the same time, the child was under consistent watch and care of the MANSI team of Tata Steel Foundation. Worried about their son’s wellbeing, the family rushed the newborn to the hospital. The doctor informed that Sanju and Dinesh’s newborn had a heart-related complication, but the family had moderate means of livelihood and could not afford a prolonged treatment at the hospital. Hence, to get further assistance in their trying times, Sanju Kewart sought help from MANSI on her next course of action.
Soon after, the family reached MGM hospital as advised by the MANSI officials and mitras. There, the baby was put on oxygen support over the next 2.5 months, where the timely intervention by MANSI mitra, Karorpati Mahato, provided the family a new lease of life. Karorpati Mahato’s experience in – Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) technique, and Kangaroo Mother Care – training modules under the MANSI initiative, helped the Newborn stabilise over a span of two months. The baby boy is now 1 year 5 months, smiling and running around the house, brightening up Dinesh and Sanju’s lives. “Karorpati Mahato, who has been our MANSI Mitra, taught me various aspects of Home-based neonatal care, especially the kangaroo care. I am thankful that together, we could save our child and watch him grow,” says a happy Sanju.