One of the Jeeps purchased by Salt of the Earth donations, to reach the rural villages of Tamil Nadu

Salt of the Earth donations have funded the purchasing of two jeeps to support with our 3 year mobile health clinic project. Our doctors in South India have been using the Jeeps to access the hard to reach villages of Tamil Nadu. The Jeeps are equipped to handle the rural roads and enable our doctors to carry large supplies of medicine at a time. This has enabled the doctors to complete more appointments and travel to the remote villages safely.

Dr Sudhakar sees to a patient in a rural village

Community workers in each village have also been administered ‘First Medical Aid’ training, to further support the rural poor communities. The health team have trained over 700 women in 30 villages in the last twelve months. This extensive training consists of six modules backed up with a comprehensive booklet which has been written and published by CRUSADE.

Murray Frankland, CEO of Salt of the Earth and Janet Elisita, Trustee with team of doctors in India

Our mobile health clinics have been greatly received, with long queues of patients at each location. The lack of health care availability in these villages means that common and preventable diseases such as diarrhea, anemia, skin infections and cholera cause deaths at an alarming rate.

In the past twelve months, over 2,000 diagnoses were made - 1,497 blood pressure and 583 diabetes. Wherever possible herbal medicines and homeopathic remedies are prescribed. These treatments are cost effective, culturally acceptable to the villagers, are effective for many of the local illnesses and are given without charge.

The Mobile health clinic project has been a huge success and with the purchasing of the Jeeps, even more patients are receiving medial treatment and training. Devi, a health training participate stated:

“This experience has changed my eating habits and my approach to preparing healthy food. We eat lots of greens, fruit, and other vegetables now. Washing vegetables before cooking, covering the food after cooking and keeping the kitchen clean are some of the crucial tips I gathered.

During my younger days, to talk about menstruation was a taboo. But, after the training, we openly discuss about menstruation and how cleanliness is a must with my daughter who is 11 years old. Keeping her body clean, washing hands after the use of washroom, wearing clean clothes, avoiding snacks are some of the advice I have given my daughter.”

Your donations are changing lives. Help us continue improving access to health care for the villages of Tamil Nadu by donating to our cause.

Looking for an alternative to a shop bought Gift? Trying to find a gift that makes a real impact and difference? Why not purchase on of our ethical gifts. Your recipient will receive a certificate of donation as well as an information booklet on the changes being made.

Jeeps increase capabilities of mobile clinics