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Citta's most established project was opened in 1996 in Juanga, Orissa, one of the most rural and poorest states in India. The state has little infrastructure and the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the country. This coastal area of Orissa is prone to cyclones before and after monsoon season (June-September). During monsoon rains, the area of the hospital is isolated from urban areas in the state due to poor roads that become impassible. As there are no other medical facilities, the local people depend on this hospital to carry them through these months when residents are often subject to dysentery, cholera, serious fevers, and other dangerous infections.
The hospital provides healthcare to a radius of approximately 25 kilometers and serves a diverse community of approximately 100,000 people. 25% of the population are low or scheduled caste and a majority of the population are below the official poverty line established by the Indian government.
The new operating room was funded through a grant by Energis, UK with the help of Sharon and Marie Keegan. After its completion additional staff were required and new surgeons joined us to provide excellent care in the new facility.
Our dental suite was provided through the assistance of World Response (www.worldresponse.org) and has enabled us to provide excellent dental care in this region. Visiting staff member Niladry Padra, a renowned dentist from Cuttack, generously volunteers his time weekly. Due to his growing reputation in the area, we are receiving upwards of fifty patients per visit.
The pathology lab, managed by Ranjit Kumar Sahoo, is equipped to test a wide range of diseases from blood, stool, and urine samples.The pathology is well-equipped thanks to the kind contribution of Subruto and Irmgard Sircar (Board members of The Orissa Project).
The Leir Women’s Center for female and reproductive health issues provides pre and postnatal healthcare as well as educational seminars for mothers on nutrition and hygiene for the improvement of family welfare. The center has developed a mobile team that will hold outreach seminars in villages in the area, increasing confidence in the center and developing relationships with the women of the surrounding village communities.
As the women of Orissa labor under a number of social barriers such as caste, dowry demands, and stigmas connected to single, divorced, and widowed women, the center includes an economic cooperative and training facility geared toward empowering the women in the area. The center will benefit the women struggling to recover and rebuild their lives, as well as revitalizing the local traditions that have taken a low priority due to economic hardship.
One local woman commented on the hospital saying, "The hospital here has changed our outlook on life completely. Now sickness does not automatically lead to the fear of death. Our minds are more relaxed."
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