Our tribal health program is a unique model in the country ending preventable deaths in Araku Valley & hard-to-reach tribal areas in Vishakhapatnam tribal belt of Andhra Pradesh. It is ready to be replicated in similar tribal setups across the country contributing to overall reduction MMR & IMR.

In view of the health challenges in Araku valley, Piramal Swasthya has conceptualized Telemedicine services. In October 2010, in collaboration with MacArthur Foundation launched ASARA project to provide the telemedicine and outreach services in Araku valley, one of the tribal blocks of Andhra Pradesh state to cater services in 181 hard-to-reach habitations of the Mandal.
 
The main objective of ASARA project is to extend Pre & Post-natal care and neonatal care to the most vulnerable mother & child populace in Tribal areas, thus reducing Maternal Mortality and Infant Mortality in association with Government of Andhra Pradesh. It is also intended to provide access to healthcare at their doorstep.

We have designed ASARA to supplement the efforts made by the Integrated Tribal Development Project Office, their staff, and a host of Government health agencies working for the tribal population in Araku.
 
Aim: To support the Governments efforts in reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in tribal areas through an integrated approach.
 
Project Objectives:
·         To improve the health status of antenatal, postnatal women, neonates, infants and adolescent girls
·         To identify high-risk health conditions among the primary beneficiaries and to refer to appropriate higher centers/prescribe medications appropriately
·         To promote and facilitate health-seeking behaviors in the beneficiaries and family members.
·         To facilitate and complement public sector health interventions in access, uptake by the community through IEC.
·         To promote institutional deliveries
·         Leverage technology to create Electronic Health Records with Unique identity to track pregnant women and provide appropriate services
 
Target Beneficiaries:
§  All pregnant women in the antenatal and postpartum period
§  Children under five years (nutrition program)

Services Offered:
·         Early registration of pregnancies
·         Identify high-risk cases and ensure appropriate referrals
·         Anemia (hemoglobin) tests & other lab services as suggested by Specialist
·         The motivation for Institutional Deliveries
·         Medical Consultation at Telemedicine Centers by MBBS doctor
·         Tele Specialist Consultation for High-Risk cases
·         Provide supplementary nutrition for positive pregnancy outcome and early childhood development
·         Providing service at the door step even in difficult to access terrain of Tribal areas.
·         Setting up of demo Nutri gardens in a scientific way and demonstrating its utility
·         Community mobilization of beneficiaries for availing services at Telemedicine center and Nutrigarden.

Salient features of the Project:
·         Addressing the needs of the Tribal communities towards Antenatal care, reduce high prevalence of home deliveries,
·         Providing service at the door step even in difficult to access terrain of Tribal areas, who have poor access to mainstream services thru the employees who are from the community
·         Provide supplementary nutrition for positive pregnancy outcome and early childhood development.