The Indian Audit & Accounts Service Officers' Wives Association (IAAOWA)

The Indian Audit and Accounts Service Officer’s Wives Association (IAAOWA), Main Chapter (Delhi) under the able guidance of our patron, Dr. Mrs. Smita Murmu, organised a health camp for the outsourced staff of CAG Office. This health Camp was conducted in two phases of three days each. The first health camp was from 27 th to 29 th April 2024.The total number of beneficiaries covered in this phase were 400. The second phase of health camp was organised from 20 th June to 22 nd June and 350 staffs were benefitted from this camp.

The primary goal of this comprehensive health camp was not only to perform health check- ups but to develop a sense of health consciousness among employees. By educating them on various health related issues and the importance of regular screening, it was aimed to empower the staff with the knowledge necessary to lead healthier lives. Medical experts from the field of ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology and General medicine examined the staff members. Medicines were also provided to the beneficiaries.

This noble initiative also motivated the members of IAAOWA, Odisha chapter and inspired them to organise similar health camp at Bhubaneswar for Outsourced staff working in various offices in Odisha. IAAOWA, Odisha chapter requested our patron, Dr. Mrs. Smita Murmu for the health camp who has given her kind consent to attend the camp for the noble cause and to support the poor people.

Recognizing the invaluable service provided by these outsourced workers and the challenges they face in accessing healthcare, we organised a comprehensive one-day health camp on 18.09.2024 at Bhubaneswar, under the able guidance of our patron, Dr. Mrs. Smita Murmu. This initiative focused on medical examination of outsourced staff from AG Audit-I, AG Audit-II, and AG A&E offices in Bhubaneswar and Puri, as well as the DD CRA Office and DGA East Coast Railway Office in Bhubaneswar.

This health camp was inaugurated by our patron, Dr. Mrs. Smita Murmu with plantation of “Bakula” Plant which is also known as ‘Spanish Cherry’ (Botanical name Mimusopselengi). This is a small to large ornamental evergreen tree of the family Sapotaceae that can reach a height of 15 meters. Interestingly, almost every part of this tree including the leaves, fruits,seeds ,bark and flowers is utilized to treat a variety of ailments.

In this Health Camp, more than 14 senior doctors from Medicine, ENT, Ophthalmology & Dermatology joined this initiative and examined 190 outsourced staff. More than 50 officials were identified who need further follow up as they are suffering from Diabetes, High BP, cholesterol etc.

Health Camp for Outsourced Staff of Offices located at Bhubaneswar & Puri

The health and well-being of every member of our workforce are essential to the smooth and efficient functioning of our offices. While officials in the AG offices are covered under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), providing them with routine medical check-ups and emergency healthcare, our contractual workers do not have the same benefits. These workers, who earn a modest monthly wage of ₹16,000 to ₹17,000, are often unable to prioritize their health due to financial constraints. Despite their critical contributions to our offices, including maintaining security and ensuring operational continuity, their limited income leaves little room for medical expenses, leading to the neglect of routine health care.

The Indian Audit and Accounts Service Officer’s Wives Association (IAAOWA), Main Chapter (Delhi) under the able guidance of our patron, Dr. Mrs. Smita Murmu, organised a health camp for the outsourced staff of CAG Office. This health Camp was conducted in two phases of three days each. The first health camp was from 27 th to 29 th April 2024.The total number of beneficiaries covered in this phase were 400. The second phase of health camp was organised from 20 th June to 22 nd June and 350 staffs were benefitted from this camp.

The primary goal of this comprehensive health camp was not only to perform health check- ups but to develop a sense of health consciousness among employees. By educating them on various health related issues and the importance of regular screening, it was aimed to empower the staff with the knowledge necessary to lead healthier lives. Medical experts from the field of ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology and General medicine examined the staff members. Medicines were also provided to the beneficiaries.

This noble initiative also motivated the members of IAAOWA, Odisha chapter and inspired them to organise similar health camp at Bhubaneswar for Outsourced staff working in various offices in Odisha. IAAOWA, Odisha chapter requested our patron, Dr. Mrs. Smita Murmu for the health camp who has given her kind consent to attend the camp for the noble cause and to support the poor people.

Recognizing the invaluable service provided by these outsourced workers and the challenges they face in accessing healthcare, we organised a comprehensive one-day health camp on 18.09.2024 at Bhubaneswar, under the able guidance of our patron, Dr. Mrs. Smita Murmu. This initiative focused on medical examination of outsourced staff from AG Audit-I, AG Audit-II, and AG A&E offices in Bhubaneswar and Puri, as well as the DD CRA Office and DGA East Coast Railway Office in Bhubaneswar.

This health camp was inaugurated by our patron, Dr. Mrs. Smita Murmu with plantation of “Bakula” Plant which is also known as ‘Spanish Cherry’ (Botanical name Mimusops elengi). This is a small to large ornamental evergreen tree of the family Sapotaceae that can reach a height of 15 meters. Interestingly, almost every part of this tree including the leaves, fruits, seeds ,bark and flowers is utilized to treat a variety of ailments.

In this Health Camp, more than 14 senior doctors from Medicine, ENT, Ophthalmology & Dermatology joined this initiative and examined 190 outsourced staff. More than 50 officials were identified who need further follow up as they are suffering from Diabetes, High BP, cholesterol etc.

It was against this dismal backdrop that IAAOWA planned to extend a helping hand in this particular area. The initiative comprised providing something as basic and essential as shoes and socks to 500 students of government schools as well as water dispensers in two of these schools with over 100 students enrolled. Towards this end, the concerned DEO (District Education Officer) was requested for coordination and 500 students from 5 schools spread across Pushparajgarh Tehsil were identified as beneficiaries under the initiative. Despite heavy monsoons, on 30th August 2024, with the help of local administration, the donation drive was conducted at Govt. School of Excellence, Lakhora, where students from other 4 schools were also gathered. The students were in the age group of 6 to 18 years, with almost 57 per cent being girls. There were smiles all around as the shoes and socks were distributed to each child. The Water Dispensers were installed in Govt. School of Excellence, Lakhora and Govt. Model CM Rise H.S. School, Pushparajgarh.

A special mention needs to be made for the immense support provided by the Anuppur Collector, District and Block Education Officers, Chief Medical Health Officers and teachers/ staff of the Govt. Schools. IAAOWA would like to put on record its gratitude for the efforts and cooperation of all these officials.

With this endeavour, IAAOWA hopes to bring about positive change in the day-to-day life of these deprived children- with proper footwear to protect their feet during the long and often difficult journey to school, and clean, potable water through the dispensers to ensure a healthy present and future for the students. As always, this initiative would be followed up by IAAOWA to continue reaching out to the backward and underprivileged sections/ areas of the state in times to come.

The day began with a warm welcome from the staff and children of the orphanage. Representatives from IAAOWA, led by Mrs. Rajni Yadav and Dr. Pooja Singh, along with the members Mrs. Neeta Aggarwal, Dr. Neelima Joshi, Mrs. Sakshi Singh, Dr. Suchitra Bonal, Mrs. Neha Mittal, Mrs. Leena and Mrs. Kumkum Sen arrived with an array of goods including medicines. The excitement and gratitude on the faces of the children were palpable, underscoring the impact of such generous contributions.

Throughout the visit, IAAOWA members interacted with the children providing them with moments of joy, fostering an environment of love and care.

This visit is a testament to IAAOWA’s mission to uplift and support communities in need. By addressing both the immediate and emotional needs of these children, IAAOWA tried making a meaningful difference in their lives.

IAAOWA extended its heartfelt thanks and expresses gratitude to the staff of Shradhanand Bal Vaneeta Aashram, for their warm hospitality and for the incredible work they do every day to care for these children.

Its main source of income is voluntary public contributions, which are necessary to meet its monthly expenses of around INR 70,000. All the girls are enrolled as students at the Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir School, which is situated nearby. The school has waived off tuition fees for these underprivileged children and only charges an annual fee for promotion to higher classes.

The Foundation arranges for regular visits by doctors to examine the health of the girls and has tied up with a nearby pharmacy store to ensure availability of necessary medicines. For the safety of the girls, CCTV cameras are installed in the orphanage. Some of the girls were orphans, while others were abandoned by their families. The founder courageously strived to provide daily food to these children as well as those who resided in nearby slum areas, during the lockdowns imposed on account of Covid-19.

On 22 January 2022, IAAOWA Odisha organized a charity event at the Asha Kiran Foundation. The team interacted with the founder Shri Pradhan and advised how to apply for government grants and for support from the Odisha State Children Protection Society under the Women and Child Development Department, Government of Odisha.

During the visit, the team were able to also interact with the girls. The girls sang beautiful spiritual songs which moved and touched the hearts of those present. Their indomitable spirits in the face of adversity were truly inspiring. The girls said that they enjoyed learning how to paint, sing, dance, and do yoga. They followed a daily routine which began as early as 5:30 am, with time allocated for yoga, studies, and even watching TV. A dance performance by a girl named Ahilya was a delight to watch.