VHA of Arunachal Pradesh (VHAAP)

The basic objectives of VHAAP are community Health Promotion, distribution of health services and dissemination of information related to health. VHAAP has been making slow but steady progress to achieve these goals through active campaigns, advocacy, imparting need based trainings to both its FNGOs and the community members, and through media, IEC-Publications, audiovisuals and implementation of health and health related development projects in the difficult and remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Khoj project is being implemented at Chayangtajo a remotest area of East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh attracts a special mention. It covered a population of 9472 and provided them health services including RCH Services, School Health Programme, Safe Drinking Water & Sanitation, Trainings to TBAs & VHWs and Health Education. Experiences gathered from the Khoj Project of the Chayeng Tajo being run by this organization in collaboration with VHAI since 1996 shows that the common ailments like skin disease, Gastroenteritis, Diarrhea, and Dysenteries are drastically lowered in those communities & areas where the health and hygienic practice, have been sensitized and awarded. Even the dreaded endemic & epidemic diseases like Malaria, T.B. and gastroenteritis have come down drastically in those areas in last few years’ times.

Networking with other NGOs that are functioning in the community level mainly has been one of the important steps. Community need based comprehensive health training programmes are being imparted to the responsible member NGOs who in turn conduct training programmes on primary health care to the members of the communities.

VHAAP is accredited with the Mother NGO status by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India which indeed is a result of its sincerity and continuous hard work. VHAAP MNGO staff got extensive training on the various components of the MNGO Scheme. Henceforth, it has given the same training to its Field NGOs and the composite project proposals have been submitted to the State RCH Society for their approval.

VHAAP has implemented its ongoing project on HIV/AIDS/STI through its NGO Partners in collaboration with State AIDS Control Society among the high risk groups. Counselling centres for truckers, migrant labourers, IDUs and floating CSWs were set up at various strategic locations of Banderdawa and Bhalukpong under TIPS. Distribution of IEC materials such as banners, posters, handouts, wall paintings at strategic public places and display of an audio-viusual were quite effective in creating enabling environment. Suspected cases of STD were referred to STI clinics and free medicines were also distributed.

VHAAP implemented ISM&H Project and organized several treatment and awareness camps in Papum Pare, East Kameng, West Kamen and Tawang Districts. Besides curative services for the common people, the team also informed the importance of the cultivation of medicinal plants and relevance of the ISM&H. I.E.C. Scheme of ISM&H was also implemented by the organization.

VHAAP organized mobile clinical services instead of establishment of STI clinic at one place during this first year. Team of doctors and other paramedical staffs including the outreach workers and coordinator conducted examination and investigation insides the Ambulance which is equipped with medicines and other needful clinical equipments at the targeted sites.

VHAAP organized various events like World AIDS Day and Anti Tobacco Day and also attended seminars and trainings during the year which were organized by the other Organisations.