Postman doubles as doctor

Jharkhand is, perhaps, the only state where the postman doubles as a medicine man. It is also in this state that you will come across a forest guard helping out malaria patients, reports Namita Tewari.

Jharkhand is, perhaps, the only state where the postman doubles as a medicine man. It is also in this state that you will come across a forest guard helping out malaria patients.

HT Image

Villagers of malaria-prone areas of west Singhbhum, like Thalkobad in Manoharpur district, have to thank former health secretary Dr Shivendu, the man behind the unique initiative to introduce postmen and forest guards to reach out to patients.

But villagers now fear that the drive will be nixed as Shivendu had been transferred. But DK Saxena, joint secretary in the health department, allayed their fears and said the scheme is still on.