Association of Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health in India.
President : Dr.Rajanikant Arole General Secretary: Dr.N.S.Mhaske
Prevalence of occupational health hazards of the agricultural community and their typical health problems lead to the formation of the Indian Chapter of the International Association of Agricultural Medicine & Rural Health.
The Association of Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health in India (AAMRH) was founded in 1988, by rural health activists Re Padmabhushan Dr. Rajanikant Arole ( Nagsaysay Awardee), Dr. Ashok Patil under the auspices of Pravara Medical Trust, Loni, Taluka Shrirampur, District Ahmednagar, state of Maharashtra India. The Association is an independent non-governmental organisation registed under Socities Registration Act 1860 and Bombay Public Trust Act 1950. The Association was, however accorded a status of Country chapter of the International Association in it's ll th International Congress held at Pees, Hungary during 1988.
REIAVENCE
The emergence of the Association is in consonance with the national commitment and health policy of "Health for All by 2000 AD". In recent years, agricultural medicine and rural health has become part of the national development programme in view of the governmental efforts towards globalisation, modernisation and commercialisation. Developmental transformation on the agricultural front and rural health delivery system is occuring at a fast rate and the need for a forum for professionals, experts and social scientists from various fields, to study the phenomenon scientifically and to interact, advocate objectively with the policy makers, has been felt at various national fora.
OBJECTIVES
- To identify and assess the extent of the health problems - deficiencies, hazards, ignorance and seek remedies in rural areas and in agriculture & allied sectors.
- To promote rural health by whatever means available.
- To collaborate with international and national agencies to promote rural health.
- To promote health education to the vast and illiterate or semiliterate rural masses so as to enable them to look after their own health and not blindly rely on other. Agencies and not to ignore the various health hazards and deficiencies inherent in their work and social organisations.
- To encourage, research on various aspects of the problems concerning health of the rural and agricultural population.
- To develop a documentation system for information educational and communication
- To bring out relevant publications - both print and electronic
- To encourage Universities and other educational institutions to include rural and agricultural health as a major decipline of study, specialisation and research.
- To encourage, accept and manage donations to realise the aim and objectives of the association.
Ordinary: Any person who has reached the age of majority and who sumits the application in the designated form with the membership fee, is eligible, to enrol as a member. The Ordinary membership has to be renewed every year. Life : As above who pays the life, membership fee with the appropriate application.
Honorary: The general body of the Association may confer the title of Honorary member on a person who has contributed significantly to the cause of the Association. <
The details of membership fee and membership fees can be, supplied by the Secretariat of the Association, on request.
ACTIVITIES
The activities of the Association are organised around four district.
- Support to rural health & agricultural SCMCCS
- Studies, research and documentation
- Training & education
- Networking of organisations
The Managing Committee of the Association is responsible for policy formulation, maintenance of assets and implantation of activities in order to achieve the objectives. Ale members of the current Managing Committee are :
President : Padmabhushan Dr. Rajanikant Arole
Immediate Past President : Dr. Ashok Patil
General Secretary : Dr. N. S.Mhaske
Members :
Dr. Amrut Pawar
Dr. Sridhar Kate
Dr. Vasant Kawade
Since its inception, the association has been actively engaged in networking organisations and individuals working in the field,, conducting field level research and training programmes, organising as well as contributing to reginal and international conferenecs etc.
The functions of the Association are being carried out by volunteers and also through the valuable contributions of about 250 Life Members.
The association successfully organised the
- 6th Asian Congress of Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health at Pravara Medical Trust, Loni in January 1993.
- International conference on Woman & Child at Pravara Medical Trust, Loni (India) in January 1999.
Venue : Pravara Medical Trust,Loni,India Held During: January 11-14,1993.
Theme : Innovative Approaches to Rural Health
Focus/Topics:
Association of Agricultural Medicine & Rural Health in India Supported by:
|
|
Pravara Medical Trust, Loni, hosted the Vith Asian Congress of Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health. The Congress was inaugurated on 22nd January,1993 at 9.30 Am by Dr. Horst Huyoff, President, European Chapter of IAAMRH. In the presence of Dr. Zang Zikuna. Vice President IAMRH, President, Chinese Chapter of IAAMRH the guest of honor. The function was presided over by Shri Balasaheb Vikhe patil, Social Reformer, Who has been member of parliament (Lok Sabha), India for 22 years. The key speaker of the function was Dr. Sharadchandra Gokhale, President, International Federation on Ageing.
A large no of delegates could not attend the vith Asian Congress at Loni because of the embargo imposed by their respective country Governments in view of roits in Bombay prior to the date of the congress. The country wise details of delegates registered and participated in the Congress, is as below.
On the first day of Congress we had witness two lively planery sessions. The first one was on " Health Status in Changing World". The main speaker were Dr. Andres Trell, Dr. Ashok Patil, Dr. H. Huyoff and the second was on "Innovative approaches to Rural Health". The prime speakers were Dr. Wang we wan, Dr. Rajanikant Arole, Dr. E.b. Sundaram. We had five scientific session on the first day covering the topics of " Health care of Vulnerable sections and population", Rural Environment and Appropriate Technology". " Training of personnel", " Primary Health Care " and "Zoonosis and vector Borne Diseases". Interesting papers will presented and discussed in all scientific session. We also had a poster session on this day on the theme of "Rural Health".
The second day of the Congress was started at 09.30 Am with a planery session on "Women and Child Health". The speakers of this planery were Ms. Anees Jung, Dr. Panse G.A. Dr. Illa Vakharia. Following the planery, we had scientific sessions on "Women & child Health " (Dr. S. Mehandale, dr. (Ms). Bela Ganatra, Dr. K.R. Waerekar , Dr. N.S. Mhaske.Dr. Malati keskar, Dr. A.I. Benjamin, Dr. V.B.Bangal), and on "Occupational Hazards/Pesticides/Agricultural Accidents". In the afternoon we had a lively panel discussion on "Rural Health Care". All the Participants have actively participate in the discussion on "Priority areas of Rural Health Care". The question were answered by a panel of experts Dr. Rajanikant Arole, Dr. H.Huyoff, Mr. Kondala Rao, Dr.(Ms) Soloman, Dr. Kulkarni (ADHO, Ahemadnagar). We also had poster presentation session through out the day on "Agricultural Accidents/ Medical Plants/Poisoning".The third and last day of the Congress, we started with a planery session on "Health for all by 2000 A.D." The planery was chaired by shri. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil. The speakers of the planery were Dr. Rajnikant Arole, Dr. S.S. Narsanghi, Ms.Purabi Pandey, Dr. E.B. Sundaram. Following planery session, we witnessed scientific sessions on "Integrated and Intersectorial Approach to health Care" in two halls simultaneously. We also had a lovely poster session on "Training of personnel/Appropriate Technology"
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WOMAN & CHILD
 | The International conference on Woman and the Child (ICWC) - Health, Empowerment, Rights and Development, held at PMT's Rural Medical College, attracted more than 400 delegates from 30 nations around the world. the Conference adoptef "The Loni Declaration" which has promised to set up an international network for furthering prorammes and policies debated in its various sessions. |
THE LONI DECLARATION
The participants in the International Conference on Woman and Child - Health, Empowerment, Rights and Development, having met in Loni, India, from November 14-16, 1998.
Reaffirming that dignity and love are absolute elements of life for every woman, man ande child and that every human being is born into this world with certain interinsic reights, which when realized, lead to a life of dignity, in harmony with family, community and environment as a whole,
Recognizing that the development of a nation is wholly dependent on the health, education and economic well being of all its citizens and that the violation of the rights of womwn and children is a serious obstacle in a nations development,
...that women have long been denied there brith-right to be in charge of their individual lives and as such have been deprived of their decision-making power even on such vital issues as their own health care, health cre of their infant and young children as well as education and socio-economic well-being of their families and communities, that gender Inequality is perpetuated by
- attitude of society,
- societal norms,
- interpretation of religion, which is very often in confilict with the core religious texts and teachings,
- in work situation and wage discrimination,
- inequitable investments in human development especially for womwn and children, and
- denial of economic rights such as ownership of property and equitable distribution of wealth in family and society.
...that the national judicial systems in most part of the world, even a the turn of this century, fail to bring about gender justic and continue to discriminate against women and girls.
Further recognizing that health in all dimension, and essential component of development, is a process which is dependent on food security, access to safe drinking water and essential health care service, all of which are ultimately dependent on political, social, cultural and spiritual idelogies,
...That value based education for all is an essential requistie for individuals to grow to their full potential and improve the quality of lifr, That governments and institutions have the responsibility to crreate structures to support women's multiple roles in the family and men should share those responsibilities including child care
...That the impact of global economic trends on the lives of women and children should be managed to fully benefit them.
Beliving that women muxt be empowered to enable them to exercise their rights to be free of inhuman subjugation by men and unjust societal norms, grow to their full potential, lead a life of dignity and self fulfillment and to work to be the equal partners in the development process.
...that all citizen have the moral obligation to work towards the realization of human right of those, who, due to adverse circumstances, are deprived of a voice,
...that men need t accept and support and participate in the realization of the rights of women and children and that a mutually benefiial partnership is the basis of a happy family resulting in a healthy and peaceful community,
...that institutions alone cannot bring abount change. It is at the community level that most action should be directed, since it is at this level that susainable changes are better achieved and accountability of government ensured,
...that governments all over the world have an indisputable obligation to implement policies and laws to protect and promote these very human right,
...that non-governmental organisations play a vital role in the mobilisation of communities,
...that international organisations which have been established to oversee the world order also share in this responsibility to work towards these human right, Convinced that to fulfill this obligations, citizens, especially men and the privileged, must commit themselves to action at local, national and international levels and must engage themselves in activities which supports the evvorts of governments and national and international organisations, and where activities go not exist, they must initiate or cause to initiate new activities,
...that this commitment must be inspired not by a sense of duty, but more importantly, by a sense of justice, by the desire for speace and in a spirit of fellowship which is the basis for all positive human interaction.
Realising that in order to live up-to the pledges and promises of the past in this direction made to the world at large, to its womenfolk in particular, we herby appreciate that greater efforts must be made on an urgent basis in order to accompoish this noble, ethical and pragmatic imperative for the society as a whole and to reach out to those in the greatest need, Further releasing that the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the world is a cause for grave convern and it poses the greatest threat to women and children who are discriminated against by individuals and the society.
...that the scientific and technological advances are used to exploit and harm the rights of the woman and child,
WE,THE PARTICIPANTS, hereby commit ourselves to promote gender equality and equity at all level and address gender issues, like.
HEALTH
- networking with government and NGOs involved in primary health care to promote activities which empower communities, particularly, women, to decide on all issues of their health so as to develop sustainable solution to health problems at the family and community levels,
- dealing with harmful practices like female infanticide,
- Networking with NGOs involved with child development to promote elimination of exploitation of children through unacceptable, unfair practices such as child labour, negligence of street children, genital mutilation, child pornography and sex trade.
- Working with adolescent girls, especially among marginalised ethnic groups, who bear the brunt of harmful practices, who are frequent victims of sex trade, and to whom health cre services are especially unavilable, thus helping them to improve their situation though better nutrition, health care and acquisition of skills,
- strengthening health programmes aim at women and the girl-chold, especially in the field of nutrition and essential health services, and
- working with health care insitution to develop women frindly and child frindly services which meet the special needs especially reproductive helath needs of women and promote and operationalize her reproductive rights by helping her to have informed choices including family planning with dignity.
- Ensure that mother and child are provided with a conducive atmosphere for breast-feeding and remove all constraints for breast-feeding at home, work places and in public.
- Ensure women's rights on reporductive health to take all precautions in preventing the HIV infection.
- Ensure that the scientific and technological advances are not used to exploit or harm the women and children. The delegates condemn the use of technology in sex forthwith and adequate measures taken to protect unborn girl child.
- Establishing and supporting women's organisation and voting with these organisation - formal and non-formal, to develop communication and leadership skills among women and to bring about effective representation of women at all levels of public life.
- Working with men's organisations - formal and non-formal, to build awareness and ensure their participation in programmes for woman and to bring about a positive change in their attitude towards women's health and socio-economic status,
- Working at school and college levels in urban and rural areas, to sensitise the younger generation towards gender issues,
- Prevailing upon government to bring the lacunae in legislation to address and issues of gender justic and ensure that the laws are properly enforced,
- Work towards changing the existing economic system, to ensure equal participation, control and utilisation of the wealth equally by women and children along with men.
- Establishing dialogue with religious leaders to understand the core texts which promote the rights of women and children,
- Ensuring that these texts and commentaries are given adequate publicity even among the poor and the illiterate,
- Takng up issues with the judicial system in order to ensure that adequate laws to protect the right of women and children and enacted and enforced,
- Sensitising the guardians of law and order that they up hold justice and not intimidate women and children while performing their duty.
- Working with formal and nonformal gorganisations towards elimination of all forms of gender-bassed discrimination and violence against women,
- Ensuring economic rights for women especially right in share of the capital and ensure adequate laws are enacted and enforced. Ensure the control of property does not cases even after the death of the husband or after separation and divorce.
- "Realising that the global wisdom based on experience demands a balanced approach to development in trying to solve the problems of girl child and women in a holistic manner touching not only their physical aspects, but also their mental, intellectual and spiritual needs".
- Working towards poverty alleviation among women by imparting useful skills and promoting income - generating activities,
- Working with banks and financial institutions to ensure that adequate capital s available for these incomgenerating activities.
- Working with academic insituations towards development of relevant curricula and to promote schemes which encourage school attendance, particularly of the girl-child with a view to economic empowerment in post-school years,
- Working with governments, banks, and financial institutions, public and private sector employers, etc. to ensure that the work environment is conducive for women employees and that there is no wage discrimination,
- Networking with all individuals, government departments, corporations and NGOs who are committed to improving the quality of life of women and children, and preparing a data band of such individuals and agencies.
- Additionally, we the delegates, with the support of the organising committee, further commit ourselves to :
- Publishing the results of the conference within the first year and disseminate this to all stake-holders,
- Establishing a network system, including a periodic newsletter, which will give maximum publicity to the above commitments and the action taken by us in this regard,
- Organising a follow-up international convention within the next three years to review the progress made and define further course of action,
- Organising chapter local, regional, national and international levels to systematically disseminate information, perpare plans of action and obtain feedback from the grass-root level, so that there is a meaningful interaction at all levels,
- Using the information superhighways for collection and dissemination of information, and, last but not the least.
- As a pilot project, organising awareness camps, health camps and similar programmes to highlight the plight of women and children from deprived sections of society, covering Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, India, the experience of which can be shared with the other agencies undertaking similar work, with the objective of making women's welfare of people's movement.