A High-Spirited Staff Nurse in Mathura Creates a Beneficiary Chain Through Word of Mouth

Contributors: Shailesh Tiwari and Parul Saxena

The following story is part of a series from The Challenge Initiative in India called “Urban Tales,” occasional real-life stories of women and girls in India benefiting from TCI’s work supporting local governments to implement high-impact family planning and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) interventions.

Kashmiri is a staff nurse at the Laxminagar UPHC in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.

As a staff nurse at the Laxminagar urban primary health center (UPHC) in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, Kashmiri is paving the way for women there to learn more about reproductive health and make family planning decisions. Her passion for her work can be felt as she tells the following story:

  When Poonam came to UPHC seeking medical treatment, I talked to her about family planning. She wanted to space her next pregnancy, but because of myths and misconceptions she never did. I clarified each of her myths and explained the effectiveness of various contraceptive methods from the basket of choice. I also shared videos of satisfied family planning users over her WhatsApp number. Later, Poonam opted for a method of her choice.”

Poonam returned to the facility a few days later, this time accompanied by her younger sister Devaki, who received a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method from the Laxminagar UPHC.

Kashmiri continued:

  After a few weeks, I met Poonam’s elder sister Rekha, who was accompanied by her sister-in-law Manju. They had learnt about Poonam’s good experience and now both wanted a LARC method for themselves.”

Manju persuaded her next-door neighbor Usha also. But her husband was apprehensive. Kashmiri counseled and persuaded them to use a family planning method of their choice. Manju also accepted a family planning method.

Kashmiri feels proud that her sincere efforts of counseling clients, dispelling myths and giving clear information about each method has spread the word about the benefits of family planning in the surrounding community.