Malkangiri: Thirteen years of dedicated service in the remote Bonda Hills of Odisha’s Malkangiri district have earned a rare national honour for a frontline health worker. Durga Prasad Sahu (43) has been invited to attend the President’s prestigious ‘At Home’ reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on August 15, 2026 as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
Sahu, posted at the Andrahal Health Sub-Centre under Khairaput block, is being honoured for his sustained efforts in delivering healthcare services in one of the country’s most inaccessible tribal regions. The Bonda Hills are home to the Bondas, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), where difficult terrain and poor connectivity have long posed challenges to healthcare delivery.
A resident of Mudulipada village in Malkangiri district, Sahu joined government service in 2013 and has remained posted in the Bonda Hills ever since. When he began his assignment, most villagers relied on traditional healers and had little access to modern healthcare. Road connectivity to the area was also extremely limited.
Over the years, Sahu and his team have worked to bridge that gap through regular village visits, awareness campaigns, and doorstep healthcare services. Their consistent engagement has helped dispel misconceptions about modern medicine and encouraged more members of the tribal community to seek treatment at government health facilities.
“I have been working at the Andrahal Health Sub-Centre for the past 13 years. We provide treatment for malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, and maternal healthcare services, including deliveries. Every Tuesday and Friday, we visit villages to conduct health check-ups and provide treatment at the community’s doorstep. I am grateful to the President of India for inviting me in recognition of this work,” said Sahu.
According to Dr. Sambit Kumar Das, Medical Officer at the Khairaput Community Health Centre (CHC), the Andrahal Health Sub-Centre serves nearly 4,000 people spread across the rugged hilly terrain of the Bonda region, where access to healthcare remains a logistical challenge.
Dr. Das said Sahu’s recognition reflects years of unwavering commitment under challenging conditions.
“Despite the difficult terrain and challenging circumstances, Sahu has ensured the uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services. His dedication has significantly improved healthcare indicators in the Bonda Hills,” Dr. Das said.
Sahu’s invitation to the President’s Independence Day ‘At Home’ reception is being viewed as recognition not only of his individual commitment but also of the often-unsung contributions of frontline health workers serving in remote tribal areas across the country.
