Page 55 - APPL Annual Report 2019

FunGAL FREE FROCk (3F)

PROJECt

Women constitute more than 50% of a tea estate (medical intervention to treat the infection once
population in assam. Women busy working in it has developed). the preventive activities focus
the estate and house tend to ignore their own on creating awareness on disease and provision of
health. although various programmes have been detergent/soap, and frocks/petticoats for women. the
introduced by the government, only a few are treatment involves provision of free ointment and oral
aware of, and access these programmes. one of medication.
the hidden health issues of women in tea estates the project is being implemented in the three
is the fungal infection. during monsoons, fungal estates of Borjan, nahortoli and chubwa. this is a
infection affects approximately 7 out of 10 women. demonstration project for the entire tea sector where
although the incidence of infection is large, very the issue of fungal infection is largely unknown
often women do not seek medical intervention. the and hidden. the project aspires to create cured and
working women population typically owns 2-3 pairs healthy women tea workers, and a model for the
of clothes (frocks worn around waist which doubles sector.
up as undergarment). Further, these frocks are often The 3 F programme team at the
not properly sun dried, leading to the development inauguration ceremony of the project
of fungus, ultimately leading to fungal infection in
women. the infections from women workers are
sometimes transmitted to other family members
including children.

as a step to mitigate this, aPPl Foundation,
supported by zorg van de zaak Foundation have
commenced Fungal Free Frocks Project. the project
has two major components - preventive (to prevent
fungal infections from happening) and curative

Awareness generation is a major method of
ensuring prevention against fungal infection

Detergent and petty coat distribution to promote hygienic
practices; Dr. Purnananda Khaund, Chief Medical Officer APPL
and Mr. Jatin Bavishi of APPLF at the event

54 Progress and ImPact rePort 2018-19 Progress and ImPact rePort 2018-19 55