While inflation has been rising and we often hear about food insecurity, growing food to sustain and survive has become important. In this bleak scenario, kitchen gardening and growing organic food in our communities can do a lot of good.
A small effort by a basic health unit (BHU) in Yousuf Shah village, Badin, is a success story that may encourage others to follow suit. The unit has remarkably transformed what once was a small piece of barren land into something of an oasis.
In my capacity as the medical officer, I took the initiative and succeeded in turning 50,000 square feet of barren land into a lush green kitchen garden. Other than the obvious benefit of ensuring affordable food supplies, this green space beautified the area, and has now become a symbol of hope for the villagers. The garden now serves as a peaceful retreat for patients and visitors, promoting mental wellbeing alongside physical health.
This dual focus on health as well as environment has set the BHU apart as a model of integrated community service, demonstrating the powerful impact of innovative thinking in public health.
If this could be done at the level of a small village with the help of the local community, one can well imagine what can be achieved in urban centres.
DR JAVED KUMBHAR
BADIN
