PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, March 14: In a one-of-a-kind initiative, banking giant HSBC collaborated with Tata Steel Foundation to address the issue of mobility in the rugged and difficult terrain of Seraikela -Kharsawan, West Singhbhum and East Singhbhum.
A total of 565 e-scooters would be distributed across these three locations among Sahiyya Sathis (Auxiliary Midwife Nurses) associated with the MANSI programme by Tata Steel Foundation so that the issues related to prompt assistance to pregnant women and neo-natal babies can be addressed.
Before the distribution, an adequate amount of training workshops was arranged and conducted for the Sahiyya Sathis to ensure their safety and driving skills are on point.
The distribution of the e-scooters will be taking place in three phases, starting with the district of Seraikela-Kharsawan where a total of 181 e-scooters were distributed on Sunday, followed by West Singhbhum with 234 e-scooters, and in East Singhbhum with 150 e-scooters.
Commenting on the foundation’s latest initiative Sourav Roy, chief, CSR, Tata Steel said, “Our teams have worked closely with Sahiyya and ANM didis over the last several years, and have grown to respect their efforts while understanding their challenges. The electric scooters will help overcome the core primary health challenge of timely access. It also represents a first of its kind amalgam of technology and grassroots outreach, which remains a commitment of the Tata Steel Foundation. We are also grateful to the Government of Jharkhand and HSBC as partners in this initiative.”
The spokesperson from HSBC, Aloka Majumdar, head, Corporate Sustainability, said, “HSBC stays committed to supporting the community in need. We were readily agreeable when Tata Steel Foundation approached us for the Mobilization of community mobilizers under their MANSI programme. The work of the ASHA workers and ANMs is very critical and the e-scooters are indeed a green solution to enhance their timely access to expectant mothers and children in need.”
The initiative is taken after considering the lack of availability of electricity in the respective areas and therefore the e-scooters are devised in a way so that it takes only 15 amp of power for two and a half hours to get fully charged. They also do not require any driving license as it is below the crucial limit of power a vehicle requires to be considered a motor vehicle.
The Sahiyya Sathis have played one of the most fundamental roles in ensuring maternity and neo-natal health during the time of Covid-19 when transportation was almost at a halt.
They selflessly have been the face of MANSI in reducing the neonatal deaths in Jharkhand and fortifying the healthcare system to remain prompt.
This initiative is to ensure the safety and agility of the Sahiyya Sathis and adequately equip them to ensure their productive hours are more judiciously invested.
