Yashaswini rural health scheme gains popularity 

The smart card way to self-esteem 

The smart card initiative in Karnataka seeks to bring a sense of
inclusion, along with better health facilities, to sex workers.

PUSHPA and her colleagues, armed with their new smart cards, will soon
be able to buy clothes for themselves and their loved ones. By taking
advantage of cash incentives, offered by some vendors, these women
from now on can look their best. With every purchase, points will be
added. These accumulated points, credited to their smart cards, can be
redeemed for discounts or gifts, when they make purchases at a later
date. They can also present these cards at restaurants or at the store
where they buy their provisions.

The only string attached to keep these cards valid is that they will
have to turn up for health check-ups at least once in every three
months. The women will have to report at the clinic set up by the
Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT), Mysore (funded by Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation's India AIDS Initiative) for the sex workers,
where they will undergo a thorough health check-up, for any symptoms
of STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections).

The Ashodaya Mahila Samanwaya Samithi is a newly registered
organisation of sex workers from Mysore and Mandya districts who have
been mobilised by the KHPT. This innovative smart card scheme is the
result of several discussions and partnership between KHPT, Ashodaya
and Pennant Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd., which prepared the software
for the initiative.

The pilot smart card initiative involves 500 sex workers. "We are
excited at the prospect of getting the smart card. It is not so much
about the discount, but as much about the feeling that I am as
privileged as any other person in society," says Vijaylakshmi.

At the onset of this project, five business establishments that
include two restaurants, two garment shops and a provision store have
taken up this smart card initiative, and shortly will introduce it to
their customers. Small hand-held computers, Simputers, at their
establishments will read the smart cards. While the vendors can record
and read their transactions on these cards, they will have no access
to the health data stored on them. The health data can only be entered
and accessed at the clinic, using the main computer. The system is
designed in such a way that the Simputers will not read cards that
have not been updated at the clinic in the last three months.

With the sex worker facing stigma and discrimination every day of her
life, the smart card is more than just a "plastic" cash incentive; it
symbolises a sense of self-worth, independence and most importantly, a
sense of inclusion. "These days, everyone carries a credit, insurance
or other cards, so why not us?" was the uniform chorus among them.

Their experience in the last two years, of coming together, has helped
them to assess their own lives more objectively and in some cases even
come to terms with the choices they were forced to make. They
articulate this clearly. "We used to constantly feel guilty and
worthless because we felt we were doing something wrong. Since we
became part of the self-organisation, we realise that we had responded
to many compulsions and realities in our lives. Most of these were not
of our making and therefore we now feel that we are workers like
anyone else, pursuing a livelihood like anyone else."

Having suffered neglect, abuse, exploitation, harassment and even
violence from either close family members, clients, middlemen, law
enforcement officers or often, just the general public, they say,
"Most of us did not enter this profession voluntarily. Our
circumstances and those around us forced us to, why should people
question what we do to survive?" They are beginning to gain the
courage to question and to negotiate. They recognise their rights like
any other citizen and are prepared to exercise them.

With sex workers having to support their families with their earnings
and needing to spend a substantial amount on transport, refreshments
and their personal grooming and appearance, getting a discount on
their purchases and bills is a meaningful incentive. As Pushpa put it,
"It is not uncommon for us to buy as many as three new saris a month.
Being smartly dressed is an integral part of our work."

The real driving force behind the new smart cards initiative is to
motivate the women to seek optimum options to enhance their health.
Regular health check-ups and timely treatment are essential to counter
the risk of STI in their profession. The efforts of Ashodaya has
ensured that over 1,100 sex workers are availing of the health
services, provided at the clinic.

Ashodaya, along with well-known public figures, has celebrated Labour
Day, Independence Day, World AIDS Day, and more recently their first
anniversary. In their effort to gain the respect that they deserve
from society, the smart card could turn out to be another small step
in their courageous journey towards being recognised as equals

`60 p.c. of those rescued from streets are mentally ill' 

Manasa community project will care for the mentally ill who are homeless

Bangalore: At the shelter for beggars and the homeless run by the Government on the outskirts of the city, 60 per cent of those rescued from the streets have been found to be mentally ill, H. Sudarshan, Commissioner for Vigilance (Healthcare) of the Lokayukta has said.

No psychiatric care

"There are so-called beggars' homes in Bangalore and Mysore, where people are detained under the Prevention of Beggary Act. But the mentally ill among them do not get psychiatric treatment and counselling they badly need,'' he said.

Mr. Sudarshan donated cash received as an award and collected money from friends overseas to help the poor.

In Mysore

"The Manasa project, which will now be implemented in Mysore, and later in Bangalore, will care for the mentally ill who have no place to go other than the streets. They need much more than food, clothing and shelter. Even hospitals cannot keep them beyond a few days at a time. Without proper psychiatric care, they can never fend for themselves,'' he said.

The first Manasa community project will comprise a care centre, hospital and play areas. It will offer transit care and special education to the young. A helpline will also be launched.

Mental health care will be provided in coordination with nearby primary health centres and doctors who volunteer to offer help.

Positive change needed

"We want to bring out a positive change in the Government's policy towards the mentally ill who are also homeless,'' Mr. Sudarshan said.

Manasa will receive help from social activist and author Usha Shetty. She will donate for the cause proceeds from sale of her book on caring for animals, "Le'mme Live My Life."

Fund-raising

The organisation, "For The Cause," will arrange publishing of books, and organise book festivals, art shows, musical events and sale of handmade and herbal products to raise funds, Ms. Shetty said.

"We are trying to make a beginning. There is need for more work among orphaned and homeless children who are just kept in shelters without any effort to integrate them with society once they are grown up,'' Mr. Sudarshan said. The homeless deserved a better deal from the more privileged, he said.

Coutesy: "The Hindu"

PULSE POLIO DRIVE BEGINS IN CITY 

Speaking on the occasion he said that it was the duty and responsibility of the State Government to provide food, clothing and shelter to all its citizens. He, however, regretted over the population boom which had led to various socio-economic problems.

He called upon the parents to get their children (below five years of age) immunised against Polio any number of times if they are under the age of five years.

District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Krishnaswamy spoke about the campaign.

He declared the Mysore district as Polio-free. He further said that only one case of Polio was reported in Bangalore city in 2004.

MLA H.S. Shankaralingegowda presided. Mayor Bharathi was the chief guest. MLA M.K Somashekhar, Deputy Commissioner S. Selvakumar, Corporation Commissioner Dr. K.N. Chandreshekhar, ZP Vice-President K. Marigowda, Minister Jayakumar's wife Sudha, Cor-porator Sumathi, Cheluvamba Hospital Superintendent Dr. Damayanthi and others were present on the occasion.

The programme was organised under the auspices of the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, District Health and Family Welfare Department and the Government Medical College.

1578 Polio centres have been set up in the district and 298 in the city targeting 3,05,528 children in the district including 98,600 children in city.

Mayor Bharathi inaugurated the drive at the Primary Health Centre in Ittigegud.

Polio centres have been set up also at the city Railway Station, bus stands and other strategic points for administering Polio drops to children. Several mobile units were also pressed into service

MINISTER PROMISES TREATMENT TO K.R. HOSPITAL 

Speaking to press persons later, the Minister said that he would soon convene a meeting of the Medical Education Director, Secretary, Principal Secretary, Finance Secretary and the Hospital Superintendents to chalk out a revival plan within 15 days.

Stating that the proposal to grant autonomy to K.R. Hospital is very much on cards, the Minister said it paved way for good development in hospitals at Bellary and Hubli. However, the pros and cons will be looked into before taking a decision, he added.

About Rs. 1,300 crore has been earmarked for Medical Education, he said and added that out of which Rs. 37 crore was ear-marked for Ayurvedic Colleges.

Ayurvedic College

The Minister first visited the Government Ayurvedic College and inspected the facilities there. Principal of the College Dr. Shobha V. Kulkarni and Head of the Department of Panchakarma explained the features of the college.

They told the Minister that the faculty had 16 posts vacant and sought for its filling up. They also sought an independent building for the Panchakarma unit.

The Minister, who visited the ayurvedic medicine preparation unit, suggested that it should be modernised and the Government would assist in that regard. He said that it is being contemplated to introduce four more PG courses.

K.R. Hospital

The Minister later visited the K.R. Hospital. He was received by the Medical Superintendent Dr. B.D. Satyanarayana, IMA President Dr. C. Rajan and other doctors. He first visited the OPD and emergency wards.

Former MLA A. Ramdas, who also accompanied the Minister, explaining the problems in the Department, said that out of seven X-ray machines only one was working.

The Minister, who visited the CT Scan and Cobalt Therapy Unit, was apprised that about Rs. 850 was being charged for a CT Scan even for BPL patients (Below Poverty Line) and it was requested to show some concession for them.

Warm OT

The Minister visited two out of the five Operation Theatres (OT), which had neither air-conditioners nor fans. Even the equipments were outdated. Fungus on the ceilings and fans added more misery to the visibly upset Minister, who entered when a surgery was on and came out profusely sweating and fuming at the pathetic infrastructure.

He visited the new IPD and OPD block and observed no presence of any ventilator equipment or air conditioner. The cardiac ward with 11 beds had no fans and the Oxygen supply unit was defunct. Water seepage was observed everywhere. The Minister visited the drug store and Cheluvamba Hospital also.

The Minister was accompanied by MP C.H. Vijayshankar, MLA H.S. Shankarlingegowda, Medical Education Director Dr. S. Ramananda Shetty, Mysore Medical College Principal Dr. B.C. Vastrad and city BJP President Thontadarya.

SR. UMBERTINA: A WOMAN WITH A BIG HEART FOR INDIA 

Sr. Umbertina, (Teresa Carrogu), a member of the Religious Congregation of the Ursuline Sisters of Somasca, Italy, died on Sunday, Mar. 26th 2006 in Bergamo, Italy, after a prolonged struggle for life against cancer.

Sr. Umbertina, known as Mother Teresa of Mysore among friends, admirers and associates, became the corner-stone for Jyothi Welfare Centre at Nadanahalli Village on Bannur Road, Mysore. She built the institution brick by brick with personal attention and care, and was the moving spirit behind all the human development activities of the Centre until the diagnosis of cancer limited her movements. After twenty years of her presence that meant so much to the well-being of the poor in India, she was forced to go back to Italy, much against her will, for further treatment five years ago.

Despite the perennial struggle for her own physical well being, her heart and soul were always attuned towards India and her mission in and around Mysore. She was a woman of indomitable spirit with unconditional love for the poor of India. She was introduced to us in 1980s by Fr. Raja Rao, a Montfort priest. We had an endearing friendship in the years that followed, extending it to her family in Sardegna (Sardinia) and to the Society of Ursuline Sisters of Somasca in India and Italy as well.

Born in Sardegna, Italy, in 1941, she joined the Congregation of Ursuline Sisters of Somasca in 1965 and became a nun in 1968. After a few years of mission experience in Bolivia, Latin America, she moved to India in 1980. Her experiences with the poorest among the poor of Mysore and surrounding villages moved her to opt for a simple life-style and dedicate herself with devotion to the well being and happiness of the poor. She was a woman of determination and commitment vis-à-vis issues of social justice and fairness to the poor and those who suffered different forms of injustice and exploitation.

She had a good understanding of Indian culture and Indian sensibilities and cherished her own subaltern perspectives about the plight of the poor in India.

Using the local language of the people to communicate, she was instrumental in forming rural women core groups (Mahila Sanghas), organizing health camps and facilitating the children of rural areas and poor background to pursue formal or vocational education. Vidya Jyothi Higher Primary and High School, located at Jyothi Nilaya Campus has all modern facilities including computer and lab facilities for the rural poor and needy children. These facilities are comparable to those available in any good city based English Medium school. Orphans and street children have an integrated programme with one of the best residential centres for their overall development, located within the campus.

She ensured that a new-born child in Mysore whose mother died in childbirth was adopted by an Italian couple, and today, the child is Maria Priya, fifteen years old, studying in Italy. Gangadhar, an orphan boy from Nadnahalli Village, who is an employee of Spice Jet Airways in Bangalore today, is another success story. These are some of the many success stories amidst odds, difficulties and frustrations Sr. Umbertina and her Congregation had to endure during her stay in India.

She never made any discrimination between the rich and the poor. She loved every individual for whatever he or she was worth. She approached everyone with a divine heart and complete dedication. As a woman of faith and love, she was a worthy follower of Blessed Caterina Cittadini and Giuditta Cittadini, founders of her Congregation. As a consecrated nun, she was particular about community life, radiated joy all around with a smile and a sense of dedication, and was fully alive and responding to realities in the lives of the poor even to the extent that she could ignore her own well being.

Though she never cared for fame or name, the CUORE AMICO award, considered as the Missionary's Nobel Prize, presented to her by an Italian agency based in Brescia in 2004 was the acknowledgment and appreciation for her commitment to the well being of the people at the grass-roots in India. The number of poor people thronging Jyothi Nilaya and paying tribute to her on hearing the news of her demise is the recognition of her selfless love and compassion.

'I may go one day but remember the poor will be always with you. Do not disappoint them'. The Indian community members of her Congregation are unanimous in their tribute to Sr. Umbertina: 'She was an angel who sojourned briefly on earth with a message of unconditional love and sharing and has now returned home — to the One to whom she belongs for all eternity'. And as Mahadevaswamy, Physical Education Teacher at Vidya Jyothi School campus states, 'None could forget her kindness. Even the stones inside the Campus of Jyothi Nilaya would continue to remember this angelic personality'. Adieu, Sr. Umbertina. Arividerchi in heaven.

6 LAKH LITRES OF WATER GOES DOWN THE DRAIN AT K.R. HOSPITAL 

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Lakshmana explained that there were 24 'sintex' brand water tanks on top of the fifth floor of the multistoreyed IPD & OPD building of the Hospital, all interconnected but without the system of automatic stop-valve resulting in the brazen wastage of precious water all the 24 hours.

Totally, the Hospital had 80 tanks and the water overflowing from the tanks on top of the structure all the way down the buildings with a roaring sound could be observed by anyone, Lakshmana added.

He has urged the authorities of the K.R. Hospital to take urgent steps to arrest the wastage of precious water.

Mother Teresa of Mysore Sister Umbertina is dead 

She was instrumental in the establishment of Jyothi Welfare Centre at Nadanahalli on Bannur Road, Mysore.

Recalling the early years of Umbertina in Mysore, A.S. Dasan and Nalini Dasan, who were associated with her in missionary and development works, said she was born in Sardegna, Italy, in 1941. She joined the Congregation of Ursuline Sisters of Somasca in 1965, and became a nun in 1968.

After a few years of mission experience in Bolivia, Latin America, she moved to India in 1980 to be the animator of the Indian members of her congregation. Her experiences with the poor of Mysore and surrounding villages moved her to opt for a simple lifestyle, and work for the well-being and happiness of the people.

She not only motivated the new Indian members of her congregation to identify themselves with pain and anguish of the poor, but also practised the kingdom values of the Gospel.

Paying tributes to Umbertina, they described her as a woman of determination and commitment.

DOCTORS DIFFER ON AUTONOMY TO K.R. HOSPITAL 

M. Lakshmana, ACICM Convenor, explained that the Government was contemplating to implement the report submitted by the former Principal of Mysore Medical College, Dr. Raghotham Rao recommending autonomy to the Hospital.

"Autonomy does not mean privatisation. On the other hand, if autonomy is granted and the Hospital placed under a competent Director with full administrative, financial and disciplinary powers, in addition to a Chief Executive Officer, all the services of the Hospital will continue as usual. The required staff can be recruited and also fired in case of inefficiency. Also, new facilities and services such as neuro-surgery, plastic surgery, trauma care and kidney transplantation can be created", Lakshmana argued.

Problems

At the outset, Lakshmana listed many problems now vexing the K.R. Hospital, such as (a) unreliable power supply resulting in the ridiculous situation of conducting operations with torch light; (2) lack of basic facilities and hygiene in special wards; (3) lack of quarters for important staff of the Hospital; (4) The building for IPD and OPD built at a cost of more than Rs. 6 crore not only doesn't have any of the modern facilities but is also crumbling at several places; (5) only one out of five X-ray machines is in working condition, with frequent breakdowns; (6) no generator in the Hospital for back-up power in case of power disruption; (7) short supply of syringes resulting in their hazardous reuse; (8) posts remaining unfilled to the extent of 60 per cent; (9) vulnerability of wards to thefts and (10) apathy of the staff towards patients, apart from rampant corruption.

IMA Secretary Dr. Harish, who spoke, said autonomy may not be the right solution to any of the problems vexing K.R. Hospital.

The independent head of the Hospital, if given autonomy, may misuse not only his position but also the funds, he added. The Government may also not continue to give the grants after some time, he opined.

Dr. Jagannath Babu argued that autonomy may not help to solve the serious problems of corruption and inefficiency at the Hospital. He wanted the present practice of collecting fees for many services at the Hospital to be stopped.

Dr. Y.B. Hegde felt that autonomy would result in improvement of both the Mysore Medical College and the K.R. Hospital.

There were no values among the Hospital staff in general, said Dr. C.G. Narasimhan, adding that there was an urgent need of committed, competent and honest professionals at all levels in the Hospital.

The present condition of the K.R. Hospital was appalling, said Dr. Anand, a former student of Mysore Medical College. The existing conditions needed to be set right urgently, he argued.

MLA M.K. Somashekhar, Corporator Sandesh Swamy, former Mayor S. Dakshinamurthy, former MLA A.S. Guruswamy and Janata Dal (S) leader S. Jayaprakash were present.