Bhubaneswar, Jan. 19: In a bid to create awareness among rural people on better health, chief minister Naveen Patnaik today launched a “health wall (Swasthya Kantha)” project.

In the villages, one wall will be painted providing information about the ongoing immunisation programme, malaria eradication, sanitation and importance of safe drinking water. “An awareness programme on health sector is needed in rural areas. Opening up hospitals in the villages alone will not address health related problems,” said health minister Prasanna Acharya.

The Gaon Kalyan Samiti (village welfare group) will be entrusted with the job. The committee, to be headed by the local ward member, will have representatives of the Asha (accredited social health activists) and Anganwadi workers.

The village welfare committee has already been constituted by 45,200 revenue villages.

The state government is giving Rs 10,000 each to these committees.

Launching this programme the chief minister said: “The aim of the government is to take the health programme to the door steps of the people.” Women and child development minister Pramila Mallick and senior officials were present.

Bhubaneswar, January 19: In a bid to create awareness among rural people on better health, chief minister Naveen Patnaik today launched a “health wall (Swasthya Kantha)” project.

In the villages, one wall will be painted providing information about the ongoing immunisation programme, malaria eradication, sanitation and importance of safe drinking water. The wall will also provide information on safe motherhood and malnutrition. “An awareness programme is needed in rural areas on health sector. Opening up hospitals in the villages alone will not address health related problems.,” said health minister Prasanna Acharya.

The Gaon Kalyan Samiti ( village welfare samiti) will be entrusted with the job and the information on the walls will be updated every week. The committee, to be headed by the local ward member, will have representatives of the Asha (accredited social health activists) and Anaganwadi workers.

The village welfare committee has already been constituted by 45,200 revenue villages. The state government is giving Rs 10,000 each to these committees. The committee will decide the health programme for the entire village. The works of the samiti will be simplified and information brochures will be published on this issue.

Launching this programme chief minister Patnaik said 'the aim of the government is to take the health programme to the door steps of the peopl.'. Women and Child Development minister Pramila Mallick and senior officials were present.