The Forest-Walking Nurse Honored with National Recognition for Her Service

In the realm of inspiring health officials, one story stands out: that of Jamuna, a nurse at the Aravenu health Center in Kotagiri, tamil Nadu. Originally from Nanjanad village, jamuna pursued nursing after her marriage and has since worked across various villages in the region before joining the Aravenu health Center.

In her current role, jamuna plays a crucial part in serving several Irula tribal villages. Due to the lack of public transport, she often walks through dense forest trails to reach these remote areas. The villagers, recognizing her dedication, affectionately refer to her as Namma Narasamma.

In a recent interview with local 18, jamuna described the honor she felt when she was invited to visit the capital city. She was flown to delhi and accommodated at the red Fort, where she was recognized at the Independence Day event. Reflecting on the experience, jamuna described it as a “dream come true” and something “beyond what money can buy.”

jamuna travels to Pudur tribal village every 15 days to provide medical care. This village, about 4 km from the national highway, requires her to navigate through tea estates and dense forests. She faces significant challenges during her travels, including encounters with wildlife such as elephants, bears, wild bison, leopards, and wild boars. Despite these obstacles, jamuna remains committed to her mission, prioritizing the health of the local people.

Discussing her work, jamuna emphasized the importance of gaining the villagers' trust. Over the past year, she has successfully encouraged them to share their health concerns and has particularly focused on improving maternal care. She explained, “I always advise bringing pregnant women with complications to the hospital. While home deliveries were once common here, I have managed to convince families to seek hospital care.”

Despite the ups and downs she has faced, jamuna views the award as a testament to her dedication. Tearfully, she dedicated the accolade to her late husband and promised to continue her work with unwavering commitment in the future.