Commission for Health and Anti-Alcoholism
'holistic health for integral development'
It was a great achievement for NIDS to form a registered forum for the traditional Ayurveda doctors named the Sidha Vaidya Sangham at Kottukonam. They come together once in a month to share their experiences and new findings in the field of traditional medicine. Their knowledge is handed over to young generation which is a remarkable factor. The center is conducting 6 month diploma programme in order to hand over the traditional Ayurveda practices to young generation.
As a part of promoting an alternative health care systems, NIDS is promoting herbal medicines. The commission takes initiative to form health clubs in all villages and motivate people to form herbal gardens in their home steads. Several seminars are conducted during the year. Now many families maintain herbal gardens. Workshops on preparation of various herbal medicines are conducted in all the seven regions.
Six herbal clinics function in different regions. These clinics offer alternative health care facilities. They also conduct classes and counseling sessions.
Will's fever, Dengu fever and Cholera endanger the life of many. NIDS takes initiative to organize awareness generation programmes and health clinics in affected villages. Medical camps and seminars are organized and preventive medicines are distributed. Cleaning programmes are conducted in various centers every year on October 2nd. Primary health centers and Local Bodies participate in the programmes.
Serious efforts are made to sensitize and mobilize people against illicit brewing and substance abuse. Seminars are conducted in different villages to make people aware of the adverse effects of alcoholism and substance abuse. Rallies, corner meetings and street plays are also organized in this connection. Agitations are conducted to perssurise the government to change its liquor policy. NIDS is collaborating with Kerala Catholic Bishop's Council (KCBC) Anti-Alcoholic Committee and Kerala Madya Nirodhana Samithi (Anti Alcoholic organization) in their efforts to form a liquor free society.
Campaigns are organized in all villages for the creation of liquor free societies. Police department is pressurised to conduct raids with the support of villagers.
Cleaning Programmes
Cleanliness is a pre-requisit for healthy living. In order to motivate the community to keep the surroundings clean, cleaning programmes are conducted in different centers every year on October 2nd. Primary health centers and local government bodies participate in the programmes.
Programme for Disabled
NIDS pays special attention to the upliftment of the disabled. Disabled children are assisted for treatment, education and income generation. This programme has been implemented in collaboration with Lilliane Fonds and Community based Rehabilation forum (CBR India).
In order to propagate the message of accepitng disabled persons as the part of the society awareness campaigns are organized in many parts of the operational area. A street theatre group is performing awareness building street plays in schools.
Blood donor's Forums
Blood donor's forums are formed with the intention of organizing and motivation people to donate blood to save human life. Blood group identification camps are organized every year and many forums are formed in different villages. Above 500 volunteers are registered in these forums. Up to now, 234 patient's lifes were saved by donation of blood. Several seminars are conducted to motivate people to donate blood.