- The Health Department created history, issuing cards for all 1,530 eligible elderly people.
With indomitable willpower, unwavering resolve to serve, and the passion to cross difficult hills, no goal remains impossible. The health department of Narayanpur district has achieved something similar. Under the able guidance of the collector and the leadership of the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), the department has achieved the historic feat of making 100% ‘Aay Vandana Cards’ by reaching out to the elderly living in the remotest corners of the highly Naxal-affected and inaccessible Abujhmad. All 1530 eligible beneficiaries of the district have been given 100% benefit of this scheme.
This is not just a jugglery of administrative figures, but a living story of conveying the sensitivity of the government to those forest areas of Abujhmad, where even setting foot was once considered a challenge.
- When the network left, the employees held hands
Narayanpur district has always been extremely sensitive due to its geographical limitations and long-standing Naxal-affected status. There are many interior areas of Abujhmad where modern facilities and mobile networks are still far away. Making the ‘Aaya Vandana Card’ required an online process, but the lack of network became a major obstacle. At such a time, the ground-level warriors of the Health Department did not give up. Where network was not available, the employees took the initiative and safely brought the elderly beneficiaries to areas with network, so that they could be registered and no elderly person was deprived of this security cover.
- Crossed rivers and streams, steps ‘ready’ to walk miles
The success of this mega campaign lies in the blisters on the feet and beads of sweat of the health staff, Mitanins and field workers. In urban areas, the work was made easier by setting up camps at the ward level, but the real test was in the villages of Abujhmad. The departmental teams had to travel miles on foot through dense forests. Overcoming the challenges of overflowing rivers and streams and limited resources on the way, these workers reached every village and every house. They not only made people aware about the ‘Vaya Vandana Yojana’, but also stood personally and collected the necessary documents.
- The result of daily monitoring and strong willpower
Senior officials of the Health Department stated that, in accordance with the government’s vision, providing health care to every individual in society was their highest commitment. To this end, the campaign was continuously monitored at the ground level in the district. Department officials reviewed progress daily and provided guidance to field teams, promptly addressing any difficulties they encountered.
- Justice to the last person: Villagers expressed gratitude
Local citizens and public representatives of Narayanpur have praised the health department for this unprecedented success. Villagers say that this card has brought great relief to the elderly living in remote and inaccessible areas. The administrative sensitivity and the friendly attitude of the health staff have won the hearts of the tribal people.
- Progress reaches the last man
This success of Narayanpur is an example before the country that if the administrative policies are sensitive and the staff is dedicated, then the light of progress and security can be spread even to the ‘last person’ of the country sitting across dense forests and high mountains.