Learnings from Udaipur: Strengthening Our Barefoot Health Work

Our barefoot health volunteers from Panna and Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh recently visited Udaipur, Rajasthan, to learn from organisations working closely with marginalised communities.

At Basic HealthCare Services (BHS), we understood that silicosis has no cure, so their work focuses on prevention, early detection, regular follow-up, and managing patients' health.

We visited an Amrit Clinic run by BHS and Aajeevika Bureau, which acts like a primary health centre in an area with weak public health services. The clinic treats common illnesses, supports TB patients, and cares for people with silicosis. On "Doctor's Day," we met silicosis patients, and heard about their work history, and understood the symptoms they live with. In Rawachh, we saw a BHS-run Phulwari that combines early learning with health and nutrition support for young children.

We also met Kotra Adivasi Sansthan (KAS) and visited villages with many silicosis patients from Adivasi communities. KAS supports BHS and others in responding to these high numbers.

For Dhaatri's barefoot health volunteers, this visit is deeply linked to our work with Sahariya and Gond Adivasi communities in Panna and Vidisha. Pushed into mining due to land loss and poverty, they face serious risks of silicosis and TB from dust exposure, poor living conditions, and low awareness. The Udaipur visit has given our team new ideas and confidence to strengthen community awareness, early detection, and support for affected families back home.