Jamshedpur, March 29: Tata Steel Foundation collaborated with HSBC to address the issue of mobility in the rugged terrain of Seraikela -Kharsawan, West Singhbhum, and East Singhbhum districts in Jharkhand. A total of 565 e-scooters have been distributed to the Sahiyya Sathis (Auxiliary Midwife Nurses) associated with the MANSI program by Tata Steel Foundation so that the issues related to prompt assistance to pregnant women and neo-natal babies can be addressed, a media statement and the state government to implement innovative public health solutions to scale sustainable impact. The electric scooters are a step ahead towards the co-creation of public health solutions, which remains a commitment of the Tata Steel Foundation. Taking cognizance of the challenges faced by the Sahiyya and ANM Didis in reaching out to expectant women and neonates in need, the e-scooters will ensure a greater reach and faster medical assistance. Inclusion of technology and innovation in resolving the issues of efficiently covering large distances and a greater number of cases has prompted the undertaking of this initiative.” The initiative is taken after taking into account the lack of availability of electricity in the respective areas and therefore the e-scooters are devised in a way so that they take only 15 amp of power for two and a half hours to get fully charged. They also do not require any driving license as it is below the crucial limit of power a vehicle requires to be considered a motor vehicle. Aloka Majumdar, Head, Corporate Sustainability, HSBC, said, “HSBC stays committed to supporting the community in need. We were readily agreeable when Tata Steel Foundation approached us for the Mobilization of community mobilizers under their MANSI program. The work of the ASHA workers and ANMs is very critical and the e-scooters are indeed a green solution to enhance their timely access to expectant mothers and children in need.” The Sahiyya Sathis have played one of the most fundamental roles in ensuring maternity and neo-natal health during the time of Covid-19 when transportation was almost at a halt. They have been the face of MANSI in reducing the neonatal deaths in Jharkhand and fortifying the healthcare system to remain prompt.
Tata Steel took this initiative to ensure the safety and agility of the Sahiyya Sathis and adequately equip them to ensure their productive hours are more judiciously invested. Prior to the distribution, an adequate number of training workshops was arranged and conducted for the Sahiyya Sathis to ensure their safety and driving skills are on point. The distribution of the e-scooters took place in three phases, starting with Seraikela-Kharsawan where a total of 181 e-scooters were distributed on March 13, 2022. In the second phase, 234 e-scooters were distributed in West Singhbhum on March 20, 2022, and in the third phase, 150 e-scooters were distributed in East Singhbhum on March 27, 2022. Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice-President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, said: “We have been working in tandem with the Sahiyya Sathis, ANMs, and the state government to implement innovative public health solutions to scale sustainable impact. The electric scooters are a step ahead towards the co-creation of public health solutions, which remains a commitment of the Tata Steel Foundation. They have been the face of MANSI in reducing the neonatal deaths in Jharkhand and fortifying the healthcare system to remain prompt. (UNI)
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