Immunization:- Since 1978 nurses go from village to village for B.C.G., Polio, D.P.T., tetanus and measles. Sisters Frederic Lomga and Shanti Minj carry on this mission of healing together with a dedicated team of lay nurses at present, giving relief to many a sick.

Medical Apostolate through "Raha" in the Dioceses of Raigarh and Ambikapur

RAHA (Raigarh Ambikapur Health Association) was started in 1969 by Rev. Fr. Charles Van Besouw S.J. It is a community-based total Health Care Service System for the tribals of the Districts of Raigarh, Surguja and Chattisgarh, the newly created state.

The objectives of RAHA are:
To go beyond the treatment of patients. To improve the health situation of the whole community. At the head of the Project, is the Director. There is maximum cooperation of the Health Coordinator, governing Body members, Mobile Team, Health Centre's Staff, Supervisors and Village Health Promoters.

This Project aims at "Prevention" through Health Education and early detection of illness. Every community is engaged in preventive as well as promotive measures under the guidance of nurses and Village Health Promoters.

RAHA emphasizes on decent living, decent housing and healthy environment. There has been a marked development in motivation and the Training of Village Health Promoters.

Village Health Promoters have monthly follow up meetings conducted by the nurses of Health Centres of the villages. They are trained on the use of herbal medicines and the collection and protection of herbal plants.

Medical Insurance Scheme of RAHA :

It functions on three levels :

For membership each person is charged, Rs. 12/- annually.

1) At first, the Village Health Promoter diagnoses the disease.
2) The patient is referred to the Village Health Centre for treatment.
     Treatment is free up to Rs. 250/-. The patient contributes Rs. 25/-
    or Rs. 50/- each.
3) In case of serious illness, the patient is referred to the Base Hospital.
     The money collected at the Health Centre level goes to the Central
     Fund called "Samaritan Fund". The patient gets free treatment upto
     Rs. 1,250/-.

The purpose of this fund is to finance all preventive, promotive and curative expenses of the Health Centre and treatment by the Village Health Promoter and to foster early detection and expert care. With this scheme, the poor benefit equally because all share the responsibility.

RAHA has built up a Rural Community Health Programme with people's participation and has promoted social awareness and self confidence. Sickness is on the diminishing trend. The Health Coordinator has a very important function. He/She has to organize training programmes at all levels - for Midwives, Village health promoters, Supervisors, Nurses in Village Health Centres, School health guides regularly and to:

See to the follow up meetings and keep the records.
Keep personal contact with all the Health Centres, Nurses and the Mobile team.
Inspire, motivate, encourage and guide them to implement common health policies and the practical administrative directives of the RAHA programmes.
Assist the Health Centres in recruiting their staff.
Answer all requests for assistance.
Handle the Project funds in consultation with Programme Director.
Plan and organize the health workshops, district meetings.
Assist the Health centre nurses in conducting monthly follow-up meetings.
Attend National and Regional meetings.
Visit the Health Centres, collect data on the health situation and achievements.
Purchase educational material, essential medicines.
Keep contact with Government Departments.

Ursuline Contribution to RAHA

Health Co-ordinators in Ambikapur Diocese:

1. Sister Esther Pratiti Kerketta : January 1981 to May 1984
2. Sister Cecile Ekka : June 1984 to October 1985
3. Sister Pratima Kujur : October 1985 to June 1991

Health Co-ordinators in Kunkuri (Raigarh Diocese)

1. Sister Bernardine Kiro : July 8, 1991 to October 30, 1995
2. Sister Agatha Minj : January 2, 1996 onwards.

All the Convents in Ambikapur Province are running dispensaries. Herbal Medicines made, treatment given and propagated by Sister Felicitas Barla and Sister Melanie Tigga is a great success.