Gandhi was never contented with seeking large political and economic solutions, he wanted to do something about the cultural and social backwardness of the Champaran villages. He appealed for teachers, Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh, two young men who had just joined as Gandhi's disciples volunteered for the task along with their wives. Several more came from all parts of the country along with Gandhi's youngest son, Devadas, who arrived from the ashram with Mrs Gandhi in tow. Primary schools were opened in six villages, Kasturbai taught the ashram rules on personal cleanliness and community sanitation. Health conditions were miserable so Gandhi got a doctor to volunteer his services for six months and three medicines became commonly available-castor oil, quinine and sulphur ointment. People with coated tongues received a dose of castor oil, malaria fever patients received quinine plus castor oil and those with skin eruptions received ointment plus castor oil. Gandhi noticed the filthy state of women's clothes and put Kasturbai to the task. Gandhi kept a long distance watch on the village and even wrote to the residents when it was time to fill the old latrines and dig new ones. 

Gandhi's Efforts to Improve Health Conditions in Champaran Villages

Gandhi played a significant role in improving the health conditions of the Champaran villages through his unique approach of Satyagraha. Here are the details of his initiatives:

Understanding the Indigo Cultivation Issue:
- Gandhi arrived in Champaran in 1917 to investigate the grievances of indigo farmers who were forced to cultivate indigo by British landlords.
- He visited various villages, interacted with the locals, and witnessed the deplorable living conditions and health issues they faced.
- Recognizing the correlation between poverty, illiteracy, and poor health, Gandhi aimed to address these issues collectively.

Establishing Healthcare Facilities:
- Gandhi focused on providing immediate relief to the villagers by establishing temporary healthcare facilities.
- He mobilized a team of doctors and volunteers to offer medical services and distribute medicines to those in need.
- These efforts helped to alleviate the suffering of the villagers and improve their health conditions.

Promoting Sanitation and Hygiene:
- Gandhi understood the importance of sanitation and hygiene in preventing diseases.
- He launched campaigns to create awareness about the significance of cleanliness and proper sanitation practices.
- Gandhi encouraged the villagers to construct toilets, maintain personal hygiene, and adopt cleanliness habits in their daily lives.

Addressing Malnutrition:
- Gandhi recognized that malnutrition was a major health issue in the Champaran villages.
- He initiated efforts to improve the nutritional intake of the villagers by promoting the cultivation of nutritious crops.
- Gandhi encouraged the villagers to grow vegetables and other crops rich in vitamins and minerals, thus addressing the issue of malnutrition.

Empowering the Villagers:
- Gandhi believed in empowering the villagers to take charge of their health and well-being.
- He organized workshops and training sessions to educate the villagers about basic healthcare practices, including first aid and hygiene.
- Gandhi also emphasized the importance of education and encouraged the villagers to educate themselves about health-related matters.

Conclusion:
Gandhi's relentless efforts to improve the health conditions of the Champaran villages through the implementation of healthcare facilities, promotion of sanitation and hygiene, addressing malnutrition, and empowering the villagers were instrumental in bringing about positive change. His holistic approach not only improved the health conditions of the villagers but also instilled a sense of self-reliance and empowerment among them.