In the flood-prone, geographically isolated islands of the Indian Sundarbans, access to basic healthcare is often out of reach. Women, children, and the elderly bear the greatest burden, facing long delays in receiving medical attention due to difficult terrain and limited connectivity.
To address this urgent gap, The WE Foundation launched Project Swasthyashree — a grassroots health empowerment initiative designed to build resilience from within the community itself.
Building Local Women as Health Leaders
Starting in March 2025 across five Gram Panchayats of the Gosaba block, the project trained 100 women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to become community health leaders known as Swasthyashrees.
Through structured training in hygiene, nutrition, maternal and child health, disease prevention, and basic care, these women have emerged as trusted health ambassadors in their villages.
Each Swasthyashree oversees ten households, conducting regular assessments, promoting healthy habits, and organizing monthly activities such as clean-up drives, ORS demonstrations, and nutrition awareness sessions. Their presence strengthens the last-mile delivery of healthcare and supports local frontline workers in reaching vulnerable populations.
Healthcare That Reaches Every Village
To complement this community-led effort, 41 health camps were conducted across schools, flood shelters, and community centers, benefiting 3,215 people — the majority of whom were women.
These camps provided:
- Clinical screenings
- Doctor consultations
- Free generic medicines
- Nutritional and lifestyle counseling
- Follow-up and referral systems for high-risk cases
Through these services, the project identified and addressed common health concerns such as iron-deficiency anemia, calcium deficiency, teenage pregnancy complications, skin infections, hypertension, and diabetes.
Stories That Define Impact
Behind the data lie powerful, deeply human stories:
- A 104-year-old man receiving his first medical checkup in decades.
- A mother learning of her child’s infection just in time for treatment.
- Women like Rekha, who finally received clarity and care after years of untreated weakness.
These experiences reflect the heart of Swasthyashree — a project that restores dignity, ensures access, and brings hope to some of the most underserved communities of the Sundarbans.
Looking Ahead: A Healthier, Stronger Sundarbans
Driven by its early success, the next phase aims to expand the model to 500 health camps and train 200 additional Swasthyashrees across vulnerable regions like Namkhana and Patharpratima.
With sustained community engagement, continuous training, and reliable follow-up mechanisms, Swasthyashree is steadily shaping a resilient, community-led health ecosystem in the Sundarbans — one empowered woman, one household, one village at a time.
