Implementation Strategy

To activate available resources and institutions at village level, existing village-level institutions such as Village Health Sanitation & Nutrition Committee (VHSNC), Self Help Group (SHG), Village Councils, Schools, Church, YMA & MHIP (local Mizoram Youth and Women’s associations), etc. were engaged. Together with the C.I. team, they embarked upon creating innovative pathways to reach maximum people using economical tools. The team covered all ethnic minority groups living in hard-to-reach areas, sometimes travelling by boats in the absence of any motorable roads.

The team also developed simple leaflets, posters, story cards and miking scripts, but the primary focus was to ‘meaningfully engage’ with the communities. Emphasis was placed on working together of the Health & Wellness Officer (HWO) and Community Level Functionary (CLF) members, designed to draw members out of their homes and initiate ‘collective planning exercises’ for betterment of their health. Engaging the students, youth associations, congregations in the Church, Village Council meetings, etc. were deliberately included to create inclusive efforts to talk, plan and actively participate. The frontline workers existing in the village were integral members in the mobilisation efforts.

It is deemed important to initiate dialogues, discussions and debates on their individual health issues and promote health-seeking behaviour by making efforts to coalesce the health system staff and communities, living in the same village.