Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Centre for Sustainable Development and NGO Swacch Association in cooperation with Tetrapack Company’ conducted an Awareness program for the Rag pickers about the advantages of Collection of Tetrapack on the January 28, 2019. Furthermore the participants were informed about the advantages of tetra pack collection to make them include it in their daily work routine.
 
Rag pickers are the most vulnerable occupational group among the range of urban poor. They physically work hard in the Waste Sector which is why their health is important and also crucial for their income. Our aim was also to raise awareness and educate them on how to take care about oneself and basic hygienic routines which they neglect.
Waste management of a municipality depends on their work and therefore also on their physical condition. With this objective in mind, a social project will be undertaken for chalking out an integration plan for the rag pickers into the solid waste management of the city. The NMC, Nagpur Municipal Corporation shall integrate them into the waste collection system of the city.
Purpose- Analysis of the physical health of the rag pickers and informative session about the planned tetrapack collection.
A Brief Snapshot-Â Total number of rag pickers: 139
We gathered the rag pickers from the areas around the dumping yard.
Tetrapack Collection
Swachh Association, CFSD along with the NMC advocated for the collection of tetrapacks to “gather around in the city and earn money with it “The rag pickers were asked to include this material in their work routine as they can be of great use since Tetra packs are recyclable and therefore a sustainable alternative for packaging.
Health Camp for the Rag pickers!!!!
Involved medicals: Dr. Nutan Deo (Gynecological Check-up), Dr. Akshay Dhoble (Dental Check-up) and Dr. Janvi Jamnani (Eye Check-up) 139 rag pickers of all ages received Eye and Dental check-up. The gynecologist practiced in an ambulance van of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation to maintain a private and protected environment for the Women.
Concerning the eye check-up the patients had to read letters in different sizes in a distance to afterwards receive a prognosis if they would need glasses or other therapeutic measures. After that Dr. Akshay Dhobley checked the teeth of the rag pickers, the doctor explained to them the problems and impact of the consumption of tobacco, alcohol etc and also distributed toothpaste to stress the importance of dental health.
Results: Many of them have problems with their eyesight, also due to the fact that many of them have been exposed to the high polluted air of burning electronic waste. A lot of dental problems occur because of a regular chewing of tobacco, smoking, drinking etc. Some women are not even able to eat because of diseases in their mouth. After the check-ups finished, one of the doctors also measured the rag pickers heartbeats and everyone got handed out the medicine which one needed. At the end a snack was offered. This happening was free of cost for the participants.
CFSD SWACCH Association and NMC shall continue to do these health camps in every 3 months at Bhandewadi. Karan Pal, Harsha Kapgate, Bhavna Chavhan, Aarti and Meraika helped us for the success of the campaign.
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