By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

Kawant: Protecting the lives of mothers and children requires more than medical care—it calls for awareness, timely action and the active participation of the whole community. With this message, a one-day workshop on preventing maternal and child deaths, promoting institutional deliveries and preventing child marriage was organised at Kawant through a joint initiative of the Taluka Health Office, Kawant, under the District Panchayat Health Branch, Chhota Udepur, and Disha Don Bosco, Kawant.

Held under the guidance of Dr Paul Vasava, Chief District Health Officer, Chhota Udepur, the workshop brought together health officials, community representatives and grassroots workers to strengthen awareness about maternal and child health. Tejalben Rathwa, President of the Taluka Panchayat, Kawant, inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional lamp in the presence of Fr Dr Mayank Parmar sdb, Dr Paul Vasava and Dr Mukesh Patel, District RCHO.

A key message of the workshop was the importance of replacing home deliveries with safe and timely institutional deliveries. Participants were encouraged to ensure that expectant mothers receive proper medical care before, during and after childbirth, particularly in rural and remote communities.

As Kawant is an Aspirational Taluka, the workshop was also organised as part of the Health Awareness Campaign, with particular attention to sickle cell disease, anaemia, maternal and child mortality, and access to government health services. The participants were guided on how greater awareness and timely use of available healthcare facilities can help protect mothers and children.

The workshop also highlighted several factors that influence maternal and child health, including inadequate nutrition, limited awareness of healthcare, insufficient breastfeeding, lack of safe drinking water and early marriage. The importance of proper nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, regular health check-ups and timely medical intervention was emphasised. Participants were urged to work together so that government health schemes and services reach even the most remote and vulnerable families.

The issue of child marriage received special attention. As part of the Child Marriage Free India campaign implemented by Disha Don Bosco, Kawant, Fr Mayank appealed to the people of Chhota Udepur district to ensure that no child is married at an early age. He called upon families and community leaders to protect children’s rights and give them the opportunity to grow, learn and build a secure future.

Alongside the workshop, students of Don Bosco High School underwent laboratory tests, health screening and general health check-ups. The initiative provided students with access to essential health assessments and reinforced the importance of regular health monitoring.

The programme was attended by Tejalben Rathwa, President of Taluka Panchayat, Shaileshbhai, Vice-President, Dr Paul Vasava, Dr Mukesh Patel, Dr Pathan, Taluka Health Officer, elected representatives of the Taluka and District Panchayats, sarpanches, traditional birth attendants, ASHA workers, doctors, supervisors, sickle cell counsellors, laboratory technicians, pharmacists and other health department personnel, Frs Ajay Shelke sdb, Agnel Dias sdb, the Principal of Don Bosco Schools and Br Melvyn Carvalho sdb, the administrator.

The workshop concluded with a pledge to prevent child marriage, administered by Jagdishbhai under the Child Marriage Free India campaign. The programme was successfully coordinated by Ranchhodbhai Rathwa, Supervisor of the Kawant Taluka Health Office.