HDF health Program has three components:

1. Preventive Healthcare
2. Curative Healthcare
3. School Health Program

GOALS

1. Reduce morbidity and mortality for the population groups at greatest risk;
2. Improvement upon the health of behaviors of individuals;
3. Have individuals identify and solve (to the maximum extent possible) their health related problems utilizing existing resources;

Preventive Healthcare:

Some salient features of this program are:

1. Health education through lady health worker Household Visits.

2. Involving the community through ‘health committees’ wherever feasible.

3. Maternal Care: Educating communities on the importance and provisions of:

a. Immunization against tetanus of women in the reproductive ages (15-45 years).
b. Antenatal care for pregnant women to identify at-risk pregnancies.
c. Training of birth attendants for safe deliveries.
d. Postnatal care.
e. Referral for identified high-risk cases.
f. Child spacing opportunities.

4. Child Care:

a. Education of parents on importance and provision of immunization for children under five against tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis and measles.
b. Control of diarrheal diseases by educating communities on importance of ORT in diarrhea and recognition of signs of dehydration, and preparation of home made ORS by mixing salt and sugar in water and its administration.
c. Growth monitoring of children under five: Education on importance and provision of regular growth monitoring of children under five to identify and correct malnutrition.
d. Breast-feeding Education on importance of and provision of counseling for expectant and nursing mothers on appropriate breast-feeding.
e. Nutrition education of mothers on importance of and how to obtain a balanced diet out of routine diet.

5. Others:

a. Water and sanitation education of community on i) importance of using, identification and obtaining water, and ii) advantages of proper disposal of wastes.
b. Educating communities on importance of observing personal hygiene practices.
c. Prevention of Iodine Deficiency Disorders through utilization of Iodized salt.
d. Training in First Aid procedures.
e. Prevention of Hepatitis through health education.
f. Prevention of Tuberculosis through health education.

Curative Healthcare:

This is provided by establishing Community Health Centers and HDF Mobile Health Units. These are staffed by a physician, lady health worker, dispenser and midwife. These centers are used for:

a. First referral facility for identified high-risk cases.
b. Resource generation to support field staff.
c. Appropriate birthing center.
d. Curative facility to treat basic illnesses.
e. Child spacing promotion center.
f. Treatment of minor injuries

In the rural areas sometimes it is hard for people to come to the health centers. To overcome this difficulty, HDF decided to operate mobile health units. These are staffed by a doctor, a lady health visitor and a dispensor. They follow a fixed route and so the communities know when to expect them. This way minor illnesses can be addressed more effectively.

School Health Program:

HDF has implemented a program of annual health examinations for all its students. This includes hearing and vision screening, as well as ensuring that all children are vaccinated against common communicable illnesses. These visits are also used for teaching the children about health related issues..