Over 5,000 women SHGs stitch masks across state in fight against Covid-19

Prayagraj: Given the recent surge in Covid-19 infection cases across the state, over 5,000 Women’s self-help groups (

SHGs

) under the banner of UP State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) are stitching masks to protect people from the virus. Apart from the stitching of masks, 571 and 232 groups of Women’s SHG are also preparing PPE Kits and sanitisers respectively in Lucknow, Maharajganj, Basti, and Barabanki districts.

Around 23,000 members of Women SHGs are being trained under UP State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) to manufacture masks, PPE kits and sanitisers across the state.

UPSRLM Mission Director, Sujeet Kumar told TOI that, “As many as 20,416 members of 5,448 groups are stitching masks every day across the state while 1,223 members of 232 Women’s SHGs are also busy in preparing PPE kits”. Similarly, a total of 14,242 members of 571 women’s SHGs are manufacturing sanitisers in Lucknow, Maharajraj, Basti and Barabanki districts.

Kumar further added, “We are also focusing on quality control and all members are following the Covid-19 protocol and precautions while preparing masks, PPE kits and Sanitizers”.

Interestingly, women members are wearing masks and maintaining social distancing while stitching masks and preparing PPE Kits in groups. These women’s SHGs last year had manufactured over five lakh masks and thousands of PEP Kits which were distributed among the frontline health workers and corona warriors, including police and medical\ paramedical staff.

Amit Shukla, Prayagraj District Mission Manager told TOI that, "Over 200 members of women’s SHGs are preparing masks in Chaka and Baharia blocks of the Prayagraj district”. He further added that these women have won appreciation from all four corners for delivering standard masks produced under UP State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM).

Interestingly, women’s SHGs are known for shipping all their orders on time. Their efforts were also being praised by the state government in the hour of crisis, including by the medical and paramedical staff of the health department, policemen on frontline duties in isolation centres, flu corners, rapid-response teams, emergency room, and medical helpline 104 to save lives from coronavirus and serving humanity.

The SHGs have also produced gloves, and aprons for health workers, sanitation teams, and other Covid-19 warriors in the past.