Thozhamai Illam in Action

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Residential care is essential for children affected by severe health conditions, especially those who are orphans or vulnerable due to poverty, violence, stigma, or discrimination. It offers a safe, dignified, affordable living place,  medical care, educational support, psychosocial assistance, and other vital services. This care helps children maintain consistent treatment, prevent additional infections, strengthen their immune systems, and improve their overall quality of life. However, residential care should ideally be a temporary solution, with efforts focused on reuniting children with their families or providing other family-based care options. 

 Nutritional care is essential for children with complex health conditions, as it directly affects their survival, growth, development, and overall well-being. These children have increased energy and protein requirements due to low appetite, recurrent infections, and metabolic challenges. A balanced diet rich in calories, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fluids supports healthy weight, growth, immune function, and quality of life. Poor nutrition can weaken immunity, raise infection risk, and reduce the effectiveness of essential treatments. Nutritional support should be combined with other interventions such as essential treatments, prevention programs, infection management, and psychosocial care. 

 Healthcare is essential for children with chronic health conditions, offering diagnosis, treatment, preventive care, and supportive services. It enhances their survival, quality of life, and overall well-being by managing infections and preventing complications such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, diarrhea, and malnutrition. Quality healthcare also prevents further transmission by suppressing the underlying illness and supporting immune health. Additionally, healthcare helps children navigate challenges like stigma, discrimination, loss, and grief. Therefore, timely, comprehensive, integrated, and accessible healthcare tailored to children’s needs is essential. 

 Educational support is vital for children with chronic health conditions, enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development, future opportunities, and overall well-being.  As a basic fundamental human right, education provides essential knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that empower them to manage their health, protect against further spread, and pursue a promising future. It also shields them from stigma, discrimination, abuse, and exploitation by fostering respect, tolerance, and inclusion within schools and communities. Many of these children, however, face obstacles to quality education, such as poverty, illness, loss of caregivers, lack of support, and gender-based violence. Therefore, ensuring that all children have access to safe, inclusive, and supportive educational environments is essential. Educational care helps children manage challenges and contributes to a safer, more supportive society. 

 Children with chronic illnesses often face social stigma and educational challenges, making future employment difficult and trapping them in poverty. Securing jobs allows young people with long-term health conditions to achieve financial independence, grow personally, and improve their social and mental well-being. Addressing barriers like stigma, limited education, and restricted access to resources can empower them to become financially self-reliant and positively contribute to society. Inclusive hiring practices, accessible education, supportive workplace policies, and joint efforts can help these young individuals build fulfilling careers. Steady employment enables access to regular health checks and prescribed treatments while fostering friendships and community connections.