If you are interested in supporting lives of the extremely marginalized people of Chhattisgarh, then read on…

Even though the right to health is a fundamental right of the people, there are millions in India who are not able to afford it. Oxfam India through its Essential Services program focuses on helping people access health care.

Chattisgarh is one of the focus States where since October 2002, Oxfam India through one of its partners, Jan Swasthya Sahyog (http://jssbilaspur.org), a non-governmental organization, works towards providing primary health care for rural women and nutrition to children between 3 to 6 years.  

You too can be a part of this initiative:

Trekking for a Cause: Sudarshan Parbat Summit Trek

To raise funds for Oxfam India's health care efforts in Chhattisgarh,  Somasekhar Sundaresan, a corporate lawyer, is attempting to summit Sudarshan Parbat (6507 metres above sea level) in the Indian Himalayas between May 20, 2011 and June 11, 2011. Your contribution would go towards constructively addressing the root of what leads to underdevelopment and internal conflict.

“I have used my treks in recent years to raise funds for causes such as education of underprivileged children in Indian cities,” says Somasekhar Sundaresan.  “However, this year, I believe, it is time to bring to the fore issues that could inflict long term damage to the idea of India, and attempt to address them – to me, the efforts of JSS and Oxfam India in Chhattisgarh present that opportunity.”

“Oxfam India is really pleased at the initiative of Somasekhar Sundaresan to raise awareness and support for the people of Chhattisgarh. Given the scale of our problems, we need many more people like him who can engage actively to solve our country's problems”- Nisha Agrawal, CEO, Oxfam India.

The expedition is expected to stretch over three weeks, and will see a team of five trekkers start at Gangotri, walking past Gaumukh, the source of the Ganges, up into the Himalayas, in an attempt to scale the high-altitude peak of Sudarshan Parbat.

“This year's climb can be challenging. I hope that taking meditative steps on the Himalayas, conscious that each step could serve a larger purpose of reaching healthcare to the malnourished and the rural poor, will alleviate the physical hardship that the climb poses.  Come, participate in this journey by making your own contribution to making a difference to the lives of the poor in Chhattisgarh.”   Somasekhar Sundaresan, Mumbai

Why Chhattisgrah?

Chhattisgarh is one of the worst affected states in India with large-scale under-development of the predominantly tribal population of the state including poor health care. Out of every 100 children under five years of age, 47 are acutely malnourished.   Forty-three out of every 100 women aged between 15 and 49 years, are malnourished (Source: National Family Health Survey published by the Government of India).  

While the children and women of Chhattisgarh are highly vulnerable to life-threatening diseases, government spending on health in India is barely 1% of the GDP – lower than even nations like Tanzania and Mozambique that spend about 3.5% of their GDP in this area.  The large-scale conflict in Chhattisgarh has only contributed to the worsening of all development indicators including health. 

Oxfam India's work in Chhattisgarh:

• The population served at Ganyari health clinic supported by Oxfam India is over 300,000, and that served by the subcentres is around 75000.
• More than 1385 surgeries and 40,155 consultations have taken place at the Ganyari clinic
• Better availability of food and nutrition to the rural Bilaspur area thus reducing the levels of under nutrition to less than 10%.
• Reduction in morbidity and maternal and infant mortality rate.
• Treatment of chronic illness like tuberculosis, malaria and leprosy.
• Policy changes in Government towards more rational and gender sensitive health care provision, and better access to drugs.

Click here to download appeal (If you want to donate through Cheque or Credit Card)

You can support other projects of Oxfam India (Details see the form)

Choose an option to support Somashekar's initiative for Chhattisgrah:

If you wish to donate through

1. Master or Visa Credit Card (Download and send)
   
2. SBI Debit Card or Net Banking (Online )
   
3. Cheque / Demand Draft (Download and send)
   

If you are unable to download / have any query contact :

E-mail: subodh@oxfamindia.org Phone: +91 (11) 46538000 Ext - 140