September 2020 \ News \ COVER STORY—RURAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE HILLS

H.H. Swami Rama set up the Rural Development Institute ...

In 2000, RDI was designated as a Mother NGO by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India for enabling MCH (Mother and Child) projects done by us through other NGOs too in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Subsequently in 2008 we were designated as a State ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) Resource Centre under the NRHM (National Rural Health Mission) to strengthen the capacity of 12,000 ASHAs (grass roots health functionaries) as well as NGO personnel for effective MCH service delivery over a five-year period. RDI has also been the State Training and Resource Centre under NACO (National AIDS Control Organization), for Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Cancer screening, education, referral and treatment for women with cervical and breast cancer have been undertaken as also for children suffering from cancer. With the support of Swami Rama Himalayan University in 2019, RDI launched a Certificate Course for Frontline health workers on the Comprehensive Maternal Child Health Services.

RDI started adolescent programs in the early 2000 initially carrying out interventions in Upper Himalayas (Uttarkashi), Middle Himalayas (Tehri, Chamoli, Nainital) and in the plains (Udham Singh Nagar, Dehradun and Haridwar). All health concerns of adolescents were addressed: enhancing their knowledge, attitude and behaviour regarding general health, hygiene and reproductive health practices, reducing prevalence of anaemia, RTI/STI among adolescents and enhancing emotional health and development. Subsequently RDI became the Lead agency for adolescent programs in the country in partnership with ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services), Ministry of Women and Child, UN World Food Program, Department of Health and Family Welfare. Along with field NGOs it serves over 2,00,000 adolescents.




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