Two Indian doctors have been featured in the South Asian feature in Times Magazine’s list of Heroes of Global health. These two doctors have put in their sincere efforts towards reducing infant mortality rate in the country by initiation of a n innovative program.
Abhay Bang and Rani Bang, who are founders of the Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health (SEARCH), are sharing the credit. The program was first initiated in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district.A critical situation when he happened to witness the death of a baby due to lack of proper available treatment is believed to have triggered his mind towards the cause. It is appropriate to remember at this stage that Abhay holds a master’s degree in Public health from the most prestigious Johns Hopkins University.
The success of the mission has been possible due to systematic research, planning and effective implementation. The first step comprised of identification of all the 18 leading causes of infant death out of which malnutrition and starvation among expectant mothers for ease of delivery were found to be significant.
The next step was directed towards reducing the identified burden. The plan was so simple that it could be implemented by a health worker with basic skills and with some rudimentary equipment like infant sleeping bags and an abacus to record every 10 heartbeats could sort out these problems.
The last but the very important step was the training and health education imparted to the health care workers who were able to manage a few of the reproductive and child health problems.
The couple has also built a hospital for tribals and a campus named Shodha Gram (Search village) and have pioneered a mass movement against alcohol in the district. They have been honored by the Maharashtra Government in for its work among the tribal community and received the
