Guardians of life
During a house visit conducted as part of the 100-Day Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign in Malappuram district, health workers carried out a life-saving intervention. The exemplary action of the staff at the Tanur Community Health Centre helped save a man’s life.
As part of the campaign, JPHN Ramya.R, MLSP Hajira P.K, and ASHA workers Thasleena R.P and Kadeeja.C from the Tanur CHC,Malappuram were conducting a screening house visit when they discovered an elderly man in a house attempting suicide. He had tied a noose to the ceiling fan and written a suicide note on the wall using charcoal. The health workers immediately intervened and prevented the man from taking his own life.
They understood that the elderly man, who lived alone, was suffering from both physical and mental health issues. The team provided him with the necessary emotional support and reassurance. They cleaned his house and restored the damaged electrical system with the help of KSEB team.
The health workers also informed his children and other relatives, as well as the Health Inspector, Rapid Response Team members, and a counsellor. In addition, with the help of the police, Social Justice Department, and Local Self-Government Department, they arranged the additional support required for the elderly man.
Since the sub-centres were upgraded into Janakeeya Arogya Kendrams (People’s Health Centres), continuous and efficient field-level work by health workers has helped identify and address various social issues. This incident where health workers prevented an elderly man’s suicide and ensured his welfare demonstrates the strength and excellence of field-level healthcare services in state of Kerala.
