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Towards a healthy rural Kumaon: Aarohi-Himalaya Health
Initiative
Second six monthly (First Annual) Report (October–April 2014)
Submitted to: The Himalaya Drug Company
04 April 2014

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Table of Contents
No Topic Page
1 Introduction 3
1.1 Project Aim 3
1.2 Objectives 3
2 Key accomplishments 4
3 Aarohi Aarogya Kendra 4-6
3.1 Outreach Medical Camps 6
3.2 Specialist Medical Camps 6
4 School Health 6-12
4.1 School Health Sessions 11
4.2 Cleaning Campaigns 12
5 Case Studies 12
6 Traditional Healing Practices 13
7 Co-Branding 14
8 Annexures 14

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1. Introduction
The project was initiated on 1 April 2013. The area selected for intervention was:
 Six schools of Ramgarh Block
 Four schools of the Pindari Basin in Kapkot Block
The six months ended on September 2013 and the following was achieved:
 Total patients seen in Aarohi Aarogya Kendra (AAK) were 3,242. Seven multi-specialty
camps were conducted in which 53 different types of surgeries were performed.
 The Block Education Officers granted us permission to begin the intervention in the selected
schools in their respective blocks.
 Height and weight data for 518 students from the 10 selected schools was collected.
 340 students received dental screening and education sessions.
 494 students received a complete medical check-up and deworming.
 183 students in the three schools of Pindari Basin received a complete eye check-up.
 14 extractions were performed under rudimentary conditions in the villages of Khati,
Malagaon and Sarni in the Pindari valley.
 A primary record of 50 traditional medical practitioners was made.
With these encouraging results the following phase started in October 2013.
1.1 Project Aim
The project aims to improve access to quality clinical services for rural populations and
introduce health education to children in rural Kumaon.
1.2 Objectives
1. Improve the reach of clinical services of Aarohi Aarogya Kendra in both Ramgarh and
Okhalkanda blocks of Nainital District.
2. Organize regular medical, surgical and Antenatal Care camps at Aarohi Aarogya Kendra and
extend its reach to Okhalkanda block by organizing transport services for easier access.
3. Extend health education sessions to some 500 children of 10 local schools (government and
the Aarohi Bal Sansar).
4. Conduct six-monthly medical check-ups for these school children, monitor their height and
weight and provide routine six-monthly deworming and requisite medical care.

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5. Promote Ayurveda as an alternative to existing choices.
6. Document traditional medical practices in the region.
7. Develop and build on the strengths of Aarohi and Himalaya Healthcare, to co-brand quality
and ethical healthcare in rural Kumaon.
2. Key accomplishments during the reporting period (October–April 2014)
 Total number of patients seen in AAK was 2,524. Eight multi-specialty camps were
conducted in which 48 different types of surgeries were performed.
 Height and weight data of 459 students from the selected schools was collected.
 429 students received dental screening and education sessions.
 459 students received a complete medical check-up and deworming.
 A primary record of 50 traditional medical practitioners was made.
 Himalaya shampoo and soap was distributed to 415 students.
3. Aarohi Aarogya Kendra
We continued essential routine outpatient, inpatient, diagnostic and emergency services at
Aarohi Aarogya Kendra. Multi-specialist camps were conducted on a monthly basis providing
surgical, ultrasound, medical, paediatric and eye care. Below is a brief summary of the curative
care provided:
Sr PARTICULARS Apr-Sep 2013 Oct-Mar 2014 Total
TOTAL PATIENTS SEEN 3,246 2,524 5,770
1
No. of patients treated in
hospital
1,264 792 2,056
Female 502 326 828
Male 690 426 1,116
Children< 5 years 72 40 112
Indoor patients seen 54 50 104
Home visits / Emergencies 0 0 0
2 Laboratory Tests 545 454 999
3 X-Rays 39 61 100
4 ECG 9 14 23
5 Total villages covered 33 24 45

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7(a) Specialist camps held 7 8 15
No. of screenings 620 569 1,189
Plastic Surgery 15 17 32
Pediatrics 0 0 0
Eye 145 135 280
Gynecology 22 8 30
Surgery / Surgeon 49 25 74
ENT 20 12 32
Physician 358 359 717
Psychiatric 7 0 7
No. of surgeries 53 48 101
No. of ultrasounds 111 91 202
7(b) No. of Dental camps held 5 4 9
No. of dental Screenings in
Dental OPD
228 208 436
Dental screenings for school
children
32 429 461
No. of dental extractions 70 46 116
No. of dental fillings 3 7 10
No. of scalings 0 0 0
10 Mobile health camps 12 20 32
No. of patients seen 415 301 716
Health check-ups for school
children
183 659 842
3.1 Outreach Medical Camps
In an attempt to increase Aarohi Aarogya Kendra’s the coverage area and encouraged by the
success of our six specialist ENT outreach camps from April to October 2013, we organised
more ENT camps during the reporting period to increase access to quality ENT care. The camps
were held at Lweshal and Nathukhan villages of Ramagarh Block, CHIRAG Hospital (Sargakhet),
Khansyu, Karayal, Zhadgaon, Kalagar, Bhadyun, Patlot and Churigarh villages of Okhalkhanda
Block and Aarohi Aarogya Kendra. These camps were a big success. Since April 2013, a total of
257 patients benefited from ENT outreach medical camps.

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3.2 Specialist Health Camps
Over the last six months we have held monthly specialist health camps at Aarohi Aarogya
Kendra. The response for camps has been very good. Patients travelling from various villages
even far then 90Kms have undertaken the services provided. Patients are satisfied with the care
and quality which is evident from their smiling faces on discharge. Surgical cares including
rehabilitative surgeries are provided at minimum cost and eventually at a cost even low then
the government facilities.
4. School Health
Encouraged by the success seen from April to October 2013, we pursued school health activities
during the reporting period. This involved:-
a) Complete medical and dental check-ups
Medical and dental check-ups for students of Classes 6-8 in the ten selected schools
were done. All of these students were also dewormed. Some children were prescribed
Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets.
b) Educational sessions
(See Section 4.1 below for more detail)
c) Cleaning campaigns
(See Section 4.2 below for more detail)
d) Distribution of Himalaya shampoo and soap
This increased the children’s enthusiasm towards personal hygiene and motivated them
to put what they had learned into practice.
e) Collecting height and weight data
Height and weight is measured for each student and subsequently analysing it on the
basis of Z scores.

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Analysis of the October 2013 to March 2014 height and weight data showed that:
Data table showing the status of school children (October 2013-March 2014)
Result Number of students % students
Normal 511 83%
Marginally Wasted 90 14%
Moderately Wasted 6 1%
Severely Wasted 12 2%
Total 619
Pie Chart showing the status of school children (October 2013-March 2014)
83%
14%
1% 2%
Normal Marginally Wasted Moderately Wasted Severley Wasted

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Comparative analysis of the oral status for the past year showed a marginal decrease in the oral
status of students and shows a need for more inputs in the coming months.
No. Student Particulars
Oct 13-Mar 14
%
Apr-Jul 13
%
1 Good oral hygiene 10 18
2 Poor oral hygiene 26 21
3 Dental caries 43 41
4
Other abnormalities or having a cluster of
dental problems like crowding of teeth,
gingivitis, multiple caries etc
21 20
4.1 School Health Educational Sessions
Over the reporting period, a total of 22 educational health sessions were provided in the ten
schools by Aarohi staff. The focus was on revising the topics introduced during the first six-
month period. The subjects covered were:
1. Introduction to the ‘Aarohi Himalaya Health Initiative’. Various aspects of the
program like collection of height and weight, dental and health check-ups etc.
2. Oral hygiene and brushing technique.
3. Personal Hygiene.
4. How to wash hands.
5. Hygienic practices while cooking and eating food.
6. Environmental Hygiene and Balanced Diet.
7. What is dental hygiene, how a dentist works and the importance of dentistry for
general health and wellbeing
The sessions were designed to be interactive and involved the use of posters and flashcards.
Models of teeth, toothbrushes and mouth mirrors were used to make the dentistry teaching
sessions hands-on. Furthermore children were trained to teach others so that they can spread
awareness of health issues within their families. Students were enthusiastic and the school
authorities provided considerable support.
4.2 Cleaning Campaigns
During the first six months of the project (April-September 2013) Aarohi organised cleaning
campaigns at the Junior High School Kaphura Kumati and Intermediate College Lweshal with the
objective of increasing environmental awareness. Students were invited to the school to clean

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Multi-Speciality Health Camp 24-29th
March 2014
Aarohi organized a successful multi-specialist health camp in March 2014. Thanks to a new approach to
advertising, we attracted 341 patients in only six days, many of them travelling from as far as Khansyu,
Okhalkanda Block, 70 km away. In contrast to previous snowy camps, we were blessed with bright sunny
weather. As a result, there was a wonderful atmosphere at our cottage hospital, both in terms of the lively
hustle and bustle and the warm relationships forged between patients and staff. Indeed, the success of the
camp was testified by the gratitude emanating from the smiling faces and warm farewells of the discharged
patients.
20 surgeries, 37 ultrasounds and 33 dental extractions were performed by a number of specialists including
a plastic surgeon, general surgeon, anaesthesiologist, ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist, radiologist,
physicians and dentist, with the professional assistance of our own support team. We received an
overwhelming response in the area of ophthalmology: 75 people were screened in a single day
We are most grateful to Dr Raju, Dr Niraj, Dr Smita, Dr H. C. Pant, Dr Anil Patel, and Dr P.L Arya who
generously donated their time and expertise for free. We thank Prakash, Sushila and Savitri for their
amazing assistance; Dr Puneet, Dr Tanmay, Mariam, Jagdish, Puran, Pradeep, Chandrashekhar, Yashpal,
Bimla for their help in the outpatient’s department and on the ward, and in keeping the systems going. A
notable absence however was that of Dr Sushil – his expertise and guidance was sorely missed.
This camp would not have been possible without the financial support of The Himalaya Drug Company, Sir
Dorabji Tata Trust, Montreal Westward Rotary Club and Mr. Ramesh Kacholia. Many thanks.
Story of Nandi……
Nandi Bhatt is a 78 year old lady from Sheetla village in Ramgarh Block. She arrived at Aarohi Aarogya
Kendra complaining of swelling and pain in her left hand from which she had been suffering for 6 months. She
gave a long history of having visited different hospitals for this complaint in Almora, Pithoragarh and
Haldwani. She told Aarohi’s doctor that all previous attempts to alleviate her suffering have been in vain. She
had been continuously taking a number of pain killers which provided only momentary relief. On her visit to
our facility we started her on a treatment of Himalaya Rumalaya Oil and Tablets. On her follow-up visit 15
days later the swelling had reduced and she reported that the intensity of the pain had reduced. Encouraged
by these results we started her on a two-month treatment of the same drugs. Since then Nandi has not
experienced any pain and in her own words is happy and now able to complete her daily chores. She is
grateful to Aarohi and for the Himalaya drugs.
the school’s premises. Participation was high at the Intermediate College, Lweshal, but
comparatively low in Kaphura Kumati. The level of enthusiasm of the student boosted the
spirits of Aarohi’s front-line workers who were keen to pursue this activity during the second
six-month period. However this was not possible due to annual school exams schools in March
2014. In an attempt to increase awareness we had a cleaning campaign in Naulikan village.
5. Case Studies

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6. Traditional Healing Practices
We started with the primary documentation of various traditional practices from April 2013.
This included collecting basic information and the practice used. Till now we have documented
the presence of 50 healers with their address, method used and type of disease for what they
provide their services. The objective is to prepare a document based on this information so
that their knowledge could be acknowledged. In the process of documentation we have
classified the traditionally healing practices of the area.
 Treatment by using religious faith
 Treatment by using mantra
 Treatment by using herbal plants
From September we collected more information by visiting a number of traditional healers. In
these visits we tried to collect in-depth knowledge about the various practices. Traditional
healing runs in families and the knowledge is transferred from generation to generation. Many
traditional healers stated that they got message from God via dream and they started to heal
the people as instructed to them by God. Some of them use herbs gathered from the forests to
be used as drugs and they stated sometimes they even ask their patients to visit professional
doctors to so they can have modern treatment also.
7. Co-branding
Co-branding is an important aspect of the project. The combined signage has been made and is
displayed at Aarohi Aarogya Kendra and Aarohi Bal Sansar
8. Annexures
I. Utilization
II. List of schools
III. Traditional Healer’s list
IV. Traditional Healer’s Documentation Draft 1
V. School-wise growth monitoring
VI. Photographs