Kerala Social Security Mission (KSSM)
organized under Social Justice Department, has a mission to
extend service and support to the destitute, poor, aged,
children, women, chronically ill cancer patients and other
weaker sections of society. KSSM identifies, undertakes and
implements Social Security Projects for the weaker sections of
society.
Under Social Justice System (Samoohya Needhi), there are
many projects-
1) Vayomithram Project: Care of elderly
2) Aswasa Kiranam
3) Samaswasam
4) Sruthi Tharangam
5) Hunger Free City
6) ID cards for physically disabled
7) Thalolam
8) Snehapoorvam
9) Sneha Swandwanam
10) Sneha Sparsam
11) Cancer Care for under 18 children
12) We Care
13) Karunya deposit scheme
Vayomithram
It is a project for holistic care of elderly. This project now
caters to persons of above 65 years of age. The elderly
population is a growing phenomenon in Kerala. Majority are
widowed women. By 2021, 20% of our population will be elderly.
So social security demand will be enormous. It is very
important to remember that social security to the senior
citizens is not charity but instead it is their basic right.
Vayomithram projects are functioning from Kasargode to
Thiruvananthapuram. There are 84 units throughout Kerala.
Each Municipality/ Corporation/ Panchayath is divided into
wards, which are identified and with help of Anganwadi
teachers/ councilors. Patients aged 65 years and above are
chosen to attend the Vayomithram clinics.
In Kozhikode there are approximately 75 wards, but only 44
wards are identified for care due to lack of staff.
Two teams are functioning in Kozhikode, covering 2 wards every
day, working from corporation office. The Government provides
a doctor, staff nurse, JPHN, a vehicle and driver. Two clinics
are conducted every day, and on an average of 3000/ patients
are seen every month. The venue is usually a corporation
building example; PHC, RCH or Anganwadi. The first clinic is
conducted from 9 am to 11 am, and second clinic from 11:30 am
to 1:30 pm (most times extending to almost 3 pm). The average
attendance in each clinic is about 35 to 40 patients. Each
clinic is visited twice a month.
The JPHN checks BP, following the medical check-up by the
doctor, and then medicines are dispensed by the staff. Most
modern drugs including oral hypoglycemic agents,
anti-hypertensives, anti-coagulants, paracetamol, antibiotics,
pain gel, antibiotic and anti-fungal cream, laxatives and MOST
IMPORTANTLY- Premix insulins. Sedatives like alprazolam,
amitriptyline, vitamins and calcium are also given.
Advantages
1. There is a sense of higher self-esteem among the patients
especially those living a dependent life, because they do not
have to depend on their relatives for medicines.
2. There is no discrimination between rich or poor, everyone
is eligible for attention, so even the well to do who live a
lonely life find it a welcome relief to be catered to.
3. Most patients have formed lasting friendships among
themselves.
4. House visit are conducted by staff when there is need to
visit bedridden patients.
5. JPHN spend time talking to the patients when there is need
to pacify or show sympathy.
6. Generally patients are very satisfied with attention and
care given.
7. The “Vayomithram” OP book is a good reference document when
the patient visits Medical College, they get preference for OP
ticket.
All in all Vayomithram Project is a well-run project. The
Executive Director is Dr. Mohammed Asheel. There is a
programme co-ordinator, District co-ordinator and a
co-ordinator in each center to ensure smooth running of the
project. Running into its 12th year, “Vayomithram”
is a unique and admirable effort by the Government and should
be ideally followed by other states in India.
Projects executed by the Govenment under KSSM
1. Vayomithram Project:
a) Mobile medical clinic
b) Counseling for old people
c) Palliative care
2. Aswasa Kiranam: Remuneration of Rs.600/- per month to the
caregivers of bedridden patients.
3. Samaswasam: For those patients under BPL category payment
of Rs.1100/- once a month to facilitate dialysis.
4. Sruthi Tharangam: Medical and financial help for cochlear
implants in hearing loss.
5. Hunger Free City: Free meals for orphans, inpatients of
Govt hospitals and their bystanders.
6. ID cards for physically disabled
7. Thalolam: Free medical help for terminally ill, cancer
patients under 18 years of age.
8. Snehapoorvam: Financial help for education of children
without parents or single parent, studying in Govt
institutions.
9. Sneha Swandwanam: Monthly remuneration for endosulphan
affected patients.
10. Sneha Sparsam: Monthly payments to unwed mothers.
11. Cancer care for under 18 children
12. We care: Accept donations and distribute it to deserving
people for various needs such as repair of houses, treatment
or other humane purposes.
13. Karunya deposit scheme: Accept money of 1 lakh or
multiples of 1 lakh for a predetermined period and to use the
interest of the amount for treatment of mentally challenged
children. The capital is then given back after a predetermined
period of time.
Further reading
Details of all the projects are available on KSSM website:
http://www.socialsecuritymission.gov.in/index.php