Shiban Ganju made a field visit to Muzaffarpur, which is approximately 90 Km north of Patna in Bihar. Muzaffarpur has been an endemic area for encephalitis.  Every summer, for many years, 200 to 500 children have died from this disease. In its initial investigation, SAM found that malnutrition, inadequate immunization, low birth weight, and poor maternal health could be contributing to high mortality. SAM will apply its experience of the Effective Social Persuasion to change the health-seeking behavior of the population. We are confident that SAM will be able to reduce the incidence of encephalitis and mortality due to it in the coming summer seasons.

With funding from Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, SAM started this program about two months back in 125 villages of the most affected area of Manipur block of Muzaffarpur. SAM works closely with a local NGO, Sarv Seva Samiti Sanstha, which has been successfully working for many years on income generation and microcredit.