Kalanjiyam - Kalanjiyam's Thaimei - Release on November 14th

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Kalanjiyam's Thaimei - Release on November 14th

Kalanjiyam’s Thaimei

While Tamil Nadu has made tremendous economic progress, has ensured that a large population has access to health care in the state and even have access to the most recent medical technologies, we are still lagging behind on a number of maternal and child health indicators. Poor pregnancy outcomes such as maternal death and low birth weight babies continue to persist in our state. A recent report from Madurai indicates nearly 10 maternal deaths out of about 4000 births in the district every month (The Hindu October 8^th 2007). Reports from earlier this year highlighted that out of about 11.5 lakhs deliveries each year, 2 lakhs are born less than the prescribed weight of 2.5kg (The Hindu, February 12^th 2007) and can be classified as low birth weight and more likely to have some disabilities during their lifetime. While the reasons are many for these poor child outcomes, an important contributor is poor maternal health and inadequate care during pregnancy. This is directly a result of poor knowledge and awareness about the basic issues and care during pregnancy.

Recognizing this as an important issue, Kalanjiyam decided to focus on developing material on pregnancy care and inform as many women and families across Tamil Nadu. Based on her expertise and vast experience in the field we chose Dr. Kamala Selvaraj to help us develop Thaimei (Motherhood), a video production, on the stages of pregnancy and care required at each stage.

In Thaimei Dr. Kamala Selvaraj presents in a simple and easy to understand manner, some of the most important stages in a woman’s life, starting from when she attains menarche (comes of age) and up to pregnancy. The stages of pregnancy are presented in three phases, the first three months, 4^th through 6 months, and the final stage from 7 months to delivery. In each of these phases, Dr. Kamala Selvaraj, presents the critical steps to be taken, medical tests to be done, nutrition and care required for a healthy pregnancy, and how the family needs to care and support the pregnant woman.

When Thaimei was piloted among 15 women from urban and rural areas the response was overwhelmingly positive; each woman who saw Thaimei said that it is a ‘must see’ for all women and especially mothers-to-be and their families.

While Kalanjiyam has produced Thaimei, Maithri Educational and Charitable Trust has supported this effort by sponsoring copies for distribution across Tamil Nadu.

Thaimei is presented in Tamil in a culturally sensitive manner by Dr. Kamala Selvaraj and can be a used to reach a large population of women and families in the State. Thaimei may be screened in the reception area of hospitals and clinics or during awareness programs / camps conducted by NGOs, women’s self help groups and others so these important messages reach as many women and families.

Kalanjiyam is making this video available to NGO and other partners working in Tamil Nadu, to peri-urban clinics, public and private hospitals, SHGs and other women’s groups across the state.

Thaimei video will be available from November 14^th onwards. Anyone interested in receiving copies of Thaimei VCD may contact Kalanjiyam by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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