We are happy you made us feel secure...

You have given me a space for my future...

We are happy you made us feel secure...

You have given me a space for my future...

Nutrition and Basic Health

South Orissa Voluntary Action (SOVA) has been streamlining the community development process by implementing programme on Community health, Quality education, Sustainable livelihood, Village governance, Child Rights and Child Protection.

The southern districts of Odisha especially Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Rayagada have lower health indicators compared to other districts of the state. The highest stunting (in percent) prevalent in Nabarangpur (45.8) followed by Malkangiri (45.7), Raygada (43.5) and Koraput (40.3). Nabarangpur (36.0 percent), Malkangiri (32.5 per cent), and Koraput (28.5) had a higher prevalence of ‘wasting’ children. Malkangiri district and Nabarangpur had over 50 percent underweight children and in Koraput and Raygada districts over 40 percent of children were underweight. Mortality rates are alarming whether it is maternal mortality, infant mortality, or U5 mortality, the condition is worrisome. MMR is more than 30%, IMR is around 48 %, and U5 Mortality is 6.5% (AHS 2013-2014). This situation of poor access to health and nutrition services for mothers and children is the primary reason for the high mortality rate. In addition, high incidences of anaemia among women, absence of proper nutrition, incapability to afford quality health services, and superstitions are other reasons which contribute significantly to this situation.

SOVA aims to ensure a healthy start in life. We firmly believe that good health and nutrition are fundamental rights for every individual. Health equity among the marginalised communities can be a powerful agent of change. Similar to how health is critical to a child’s development, health equity is an indispensable milestone of a community’s development. We work to bridge the health equity gap and go beyond fighting illness to ensuring health for all. We work with women and children from birth to adulthood to break the intergenerational cycle of poor health. We work directly with the communities to improve health-seeking behaviours, address gender inequities and promote optimal use of available resources. Our model is unique as it supports existing government health and safety systems for improving the quality of healthcare delivery.

Preventing U5 childhood malnutrition

Sexual and Reproductive Health for Adolescents

Healthy and Safe Motherhood

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5, Odisha is one of the states which still have high levels of stunted and wasted children. The percentage of stunting children in Odisha is 31% and underweight children are 29.7%. The southern districts namely Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Raygada are the districts where…

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Adolescents and youth face significant barriers that undermine their sexual and reproductive health and rights—including lack of access to comprehensive sexuality education and essential sexual and reproductive health services. Because of failures to enable and empower adolescents to access comprehensive…

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National Family Health Survey – 5 revealed that access to maternal and newborn health services has increased in southern Odisha, even though there continues to be the challenge of accessing services. The need for strengthening of service delivery through the provision of updated clinical management protocols therefore has…

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