Port Blair, Aug 13: As part of observance of Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight, the Directorate of Health Services organized a health camp for the Jarawa tribe at Pottatang Outreach Hut recently in association with the Department of Tribal Welfare. A team led by Dr. R.K Halder, Joint Secretary (RCH-II) and consisting of Smt. Uma Devi, Research Officer (TW), Mr Debabrato Nag, Health Education Officer (DHS), Extension Officer (TW), Smt. Shanti Teresa Lakra, ANM (Tribal Health), Smt. Rina Rosline Lakra, ANM (Family Welfare), Pharmacist (TW) and other staff of AAJVS and department of Tribal Welfare examined about 30 Jarawas including mothers and children at an hut incised the forest at Pottatang. About 18 were detected with various ailments and medicines were provided by Dr Halder.
The Health-talk delivered in Hindi by Dr. R.K Halder was translated to Jarawa language by the leader of the Jarawas and assisted by an employee of the department of Tribal Welfare. They were told to breastfeed their children upto 6 months of age, immunize the children and attend ante-natal clinic when they become pregnant. They have been taught to take care of their teeth by brushing them with herbs or soft brush, wash mouth and hands before and after food, washing of hands properly with herbal soap or with herbs available in their habitat, eg. Neem, washing and using soap after passing stools, passing stools in pits and closing it daily. They were also advised to improve their personal hygiene. Demonstrations were held to show how to wash hands, handle utensils, draw water from vessels as well as from wells and springs. The Jarawa mothers as well as the male companions were demonstrated how to make Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and give Zinc tablet to the children during diarrhoea.
