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Popfocus 2008 October December English |
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Combating Female Foeticide
The Regional Conference on
Health, Population and Social
Development Issues in Punjab,
Himachal Pradesh and Haryana with
a focus on sex ratio issues/female
foeticide was organized in
Chandigarh on October 23 and 24,
2008. The conference is part of an
annual effort of the Population
Foundation of India. PH has, in the
past, organized several state and
regional level conferences as part of
its advocacy efforts on health,
population and social development
issues. The recommendations
emerging from these conferences are
submitted to the respective state
governments for framing their
population policies and programmes.
The two-day Regional Conference at
Chandigarh brought together
administrators, social scientists,
academicians and scholars, national/
international institutions and NGOs
concerned with these issues, for
discussion on demography, health
and social development - achieve-
ments, gaps and future plan of action.
Objectives of the workshop
were:
• To get a clear perspective of the
demographic and health transition
process in Haryana, Himachal
Pradesh and Punjab;
• To draw attention to the issue of
child sex ratio and review efforts
to curb sex selective practices and
pre-birth elimination of females;
• To recapitulate initiatives by the
State Governments on population
and health issues,
General (Retd.) S. F. Rodrigues,
Governor of Punjab & Administrator,
UT Chandigarh formally inaugurated
RegIon
on
Health population and Soci
,
with -f,
on
0/
General (Retd.) S F Rodrigues, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT
Chandigarh releasing the wall chart and district profiles at the conference.
Others are (from left); f:1r A R Nanda, Executive Director, PFI and Mr B G Deshmukh,
Vice-Chairman, PFI Governing Board
the Conference. In his inaugural
address, he shared that female
foeticide and skewed sex ratio is of a
great concern in this region.
Elaborating on the importance
of partnerships between the govern-
ment and civilsociety to work on the
issue, he emphasized that the issue
of female foeticide cannot be tackled
by the government alone. He
appealed to the NGO sector to come
forward and join hands for a
meaningful partnership to tackle this
crucial issue.
Three new PFI publications were
released by General Rodrigues on the
occasion, including a wall chart
covering key health and social
development indices, the district
profiles for three states with keynote
addresses and a report on civilsociety
initiatives under the MOHFW /
UNFPA CP6 programme.
The various session? over two days
of the Conference session included
presentations on demographic and
health transition in Punjab, Haryana
and Himachal Pradesh, highlighting
Jns;de
An Innovation through
Community Newspaper
... 4
Thematic Workshop on
Institutional Delivery
... 5
Exploratory visit by PFI Scaling Up
Team to CINI, Kolkata
... 5
Institutional Development Framework
Workshop with Karuna Trust
6
PARIVARTAN
6
PFI Strategic Planning Workshop
7
Increasing Access to Quality of Care in
Family Planning Services in Uttarakhand ... 7
The Global Fund Round 4 & Round 6
Programme on HIV/ AIDS
8
Population of India: Facts and Figures
9
Swasthya Aangan:
Annual Review Meeting
.. 10
SAARC Second Conference on
Tuberculosis, HIV/ AIDS and
Respiratory Disease, 2008
... 10
ImprOVingthe ReproducHve Health
Status of Married Adolescents
... 11
Education Day Observed
by the Government of Bihar
... 12
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1,,,m Ihe £xeculifle Oired",'s desk ...
Sustainable Development is popularly defined as
"Development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs." It is also well established that
Sustainable Development can be pursued if demographic
developments are in harmony with the changing
productive potential of the ecosystem. Unsustainable
patterns of consumption and production are depleting
natural resources and causing environmental degradation,
while reinforcing social inequity and poverty. Therein lies
the development challenge.
Ever since attaining independence, India has embarked
upon planned social and economic development
programmes, of which population stabilization is an
important component. It is on the basic premise that
stabilizing population is a fundamental requirement for
promoting sustainable development with more equitable
distribution that India's population programme has
adopted different strategies and action plans over the
years.
Macroeconomic and sectoral development policies have
not given due attention to population considerations.
The ICPD Programme of Action states that explicitly
taking population considerations into account in economic
and development strategies - planning, decision-making
and resource allocation at all levels and in all regions will
contribute to both sustainable development and poverty
alleviation, and to slower population growth and an
improved quality of life. The ICPD also called for the
integration of population issues into the formulation,
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all
international, regional, national and local policies and
programmes relating to sustainable development.
The Population Foundation of India's vision of
"Promoting, Fostering and Inspiring sustainable and
balanced human development
with a focus on
population stabilization
through an enabling
environment for an ascending quality of life with equity
and justice" has been developed in tune with the strategies
of the National Population Policy and the National Rural
Health Mission with an inherent emphasis on a rights-
based and gender sensitive approach.
The insight that focusing on people - their rights,
capabilities, and opportunities - willhave multiple benefits
for individuals, for society, and for their sustainable
relationship with the environment, should be the
underlying principle for all planning.
If we do not put the human population at the core of the
sustainable development agenda, our efforts to improve
human wellbeing and preserve the quality of the
environment will fail. Only if we understand how the
human population and society interact with the natural
environment will we be able to attain the goals of
sustainable development.
PopJOCUs
the issues and challenges for population stabilization,
health and epidemiological transition in the three states,
policies and programme initiatives on Population/RCH,
Gender Discrimination, Sex Selection and the State:
Contradictions, Contestations & Challenges and Role and
impact of media in addressing the child sex ratio.
Dr. A R Kidwai, Governor of Haryana participated in the
conference as the Chief Guest for the evening
programme. Dr. A R Kidwai, in his address observed that
it was a matter of great pleasure that PH is playing an
important role in creating awareness by involving the
academics, policy makers, administrators and civilsociety
together and in evolving policies. This, he felt was a
healthy and constructive approach and he congratulated
PFI for organizing the regional conferences on
Reproductive Health and population issues. Dr. Kidwai
mentioned that the female foeticide programme has
received a lot of attention in Haryana Government;
however, it was necessary to create healthy public opinion.
Prof. Lakshmikanta Chawla, Hon. Health Minister,
Government of Punjab, shared her thoughts on the issue
and mentioned that killing of the girl foetus was a grave
issue. She felt that only law cannot do anything till social
change occurs especially among the influential people in
the society. There should be stronger and stricter
enforcement of the law by the agencies. This should be
coupled with strong will and willingness to serve and
change society. Prof. Chawla also clarified that in Punjab
the government is certainly not promoting one child norm
as has been reported.
Some of the key deliberations and recommendations that
emerged at the conference are summarized below:
Overall health and demographic transition in
the three states
• Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have achieved TFR of
replacement level (2.1) whereas Haryana is expected
to reach the TFR of 2.1 by 2012. In most urban areas
in Haryana, the TFR has reached the replacement
level. While fertility has declined in these states
population stabilization, issues and challenges need t~
be discussed in relation to myths and misconceptions
on population stabilization including the fact that
population stabilization is not just numbers. It includes
reproductive health and quality of care in health services
as a priority.
• It is evident that in spite of declining mortality and
changing morbidity patterns, the states of Haryana,
Punjab and Himachal Pradesh still have the unfinished
agenda of combating traditional infectious diseases and
relatively high maternal, peri-natal and neo-natal
disorders including nutritional deficiencies which
continue to contribute to a heavy disease burden.
• These states also have to deal with the "emerging
agenda" which includes chronic and newer diseases
induced by the changing age structure, changing life
style, the emergence of HIV/ AIDS and those related
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Pop}OCUS
to tobacco use, environmental
pollution and drug abuse including
alcohol.
• The persisting agenda for these
states includes child birth,
tuberculosis control, treatment in
public hospitals and health
expenditures.
• The State policies for good health
should include - livelihood,
nutrition, housing, education,
empowerment of women, safe
drinking water and sanitation,
improved access to effective
primary health care, promotion of
health enhancing goods such as
fruits & vegetables, physical activity
and reduced supply of health
damaging products such as
tobacco, alcohol.
• Government should consider the
impact of demographic transition
during formulation or imple-
mentation of any law to address
the population issues of the
country. Policy decisions like the
two child norm are not in favour
of 'people' as they deprive people
from participating in local and
grass roots level governance
systems and have other adverse
impacts such as unbalanced sex
ratio at birth.
• Sex ratio at birth is improving in
all three states; but it continues to
be a matter of concern, as it is still
below the national level.
• Delaying age at marriage, delaying
the first conception and addressing
the unmet needs based on ensuring
access to contraceptive choices
and:
- 24, 2
a io/
ot: 1 Taj~ C ;;n< ig~ I-
October 23 - 24 2008
Ms. Ena Singh, Assistant Representative, UNFPA addressing the participants.
Others are (from left); Prof. Lakshmikanta Chawla, Hon. Health Minister,
Government of Punjab and Ms. Nina Puri, Member, PFI Governing Board
will take care of population
needs to take into account the
momentum.
whole gamut of rights of women,
• Primary health care is not just
limited to functioning of primary
health centers but should be a
comprehensive approach to health
care.
• Proportion of middle and elderly
age group is increasing. Our
policies should address the
changing demographic pattern.
• Over all the IMR in 3 states is
declining, but the rate at which it
is decreasing is too slow and is a
cause of concern in the region.
the intricate interconnection of
these rights, the influence of class,
caste, religion and other individual
and group identities as well as the
shifting heterogeneous character of
the State priorities.
• While the problem exists in
educated middle and upper class,
schemes promoting the girl child
have so far been aimed at the lower
class. It was hence recommended
that the campaigns should focus on
the educated urban middle class
and that efforts must be sustained
On the Issue of Child Sex Ratio
and Female Foeticide
• The complex socio-political reality
of sex selection and gender
discrimination in India requires a
multi-pronged approach which
· over a long period.
CRRID nine city study shows that
I there is 20% under-utilization of
ultrasound centres. This is because
the centres can be operated by
anyone, but the machines can be
operated by only a handful of
technical people. The process of
registration of ultrasound clinic is
faulty. The government needs to
look into these issues.
• Himachal Pradesh Sample
Registration System and Civil
Registration System figures have
shown increase in IMR particularly
among girls. There should be
targets fixed for reducing female
IMR.
• PH and UNFPA should help the
public health system in the three
states to understand the generation
two issues on child sex ratio
decline.
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Pop./Ocus
An Innovation through Communitv Newspaper
Ahandwritten newspaper by the
community for the benefit of the
community! Yes! as you read this
article in the hustle and bustle of your
daily life, one newspaper in small and
sleepy villages in Kisko block of
Lohardaga district and Danapur block
of Patna District in Bihar are changing
the lives of the rural poor.
Welcome to the rural world of
Jharkhand and Bihar. 15 villages in
the two blocks have been selected and
most of the people live below poverty
line. A special kind of newspaper is
designed for them, which carries the
news of health, nutrition and welfare
schemes of the government as well
as the problems people are facing on
the above issues and their solutions.
The office coordinator and editor of
the newspaper, Jamaitullah Hussain
who works for Manthan Yuva
Sansthan (MYS),an NGO functioning
with financial assistance from
Population Foundation of India (PH),
says that there is a group of dedicated
reporters including a cartoonist
Jabiullah Ansari. Most of the
reporters are students of BS College
in Lohardaga. As Jabiullah says,
"I like working here. I am quite
impressed by the work of renowned
cartoonist 'Moni'. My father is a
fanner and I want to become one of
the best cartoonists in the country.
I have learnt a lot while working for
the newspaper Apni Awaz".
Handwritten by Dangi, the
"Samkaleen Patra' of Danapur is of
similar kind and is written in bold
multi-coloured letters with sketch pen
on 2 ft by 1.5 ft chart paper and
pasted on the walls of fifteen villages
and the block head quarters.
As Dangi, 38, a social worker and
writer-editor of newspaper says,
"Although my village is just next to
Patna and the block headquarters of
Danapur, the status of most
development programmes here is
pitiable. Most villagers eligible to
benefit from various schemes simply
do not know about them. Therefore,
the illegal earnings of government
officials, village politicians and
middlemen keep growing."
Sunaina Devi, a 60-year-old
Lakhnibigha villager, is a regular
reader. "I had no idea about the
NREGA for a long time. After
learning about the NREGA rules in
this paper, I met the mukhiya. He has
promised to include the names of my
family members", she said.
Our elected public representatives are
often kept in the dark by our village
seniors and officials at the Block
Development Office (BOO), said
Kunti Devi, 65, the ward member of
Lakhnibigha. "I had no way to find
out about the village anganwadi and
the mid-day meal scheme before
I started reading the wall newspaper
here. I found out that what was
offered to children was much less than
what the government is paying for.
I raised the topic with the mukhiya",
she said.
BOO of Kisko block, Nagendra
Paswan said, "the paper deals with
relevant topics such as local events,
articles on health and political events.
I eagerly wait for "Apni Aawaz" and
read it regularly. It keeps me updated
about various issues most of which
are not brought to my notice at the
office." Nesar Ahmed, district
president of Youth Congress said,
"Apni Awaz is very beneficial to rural
people. I have asked the editor to
bring it out in my native village Hisari
as well."
Anita Toppo of Semardih village says
"I am studying in class IX and I read
the newspaper regularly".
Dangi has received threats from
public distribution system dealers and
the illegal liquor mafia because of his
wall newspaper's campaign and his
encouragement to villagersto fight for
their rights. "Preventing illegal liquor
brewing is my main aim. Liquor has
nearly destroyed our youth. I am not
going to stop my campaign out of
fear", he promises.
A slow and silent change can
be seen in the area, which is
still untouched by the pace of
development.
•
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PopJOcus
Thematic Workshop on Institutional Deliverv
The Population Foundation of
India, Patna office organized a
regional workshop on 'Institutional
Delivery' on October 17, 2008 at
Chhapra. The main objectives of the
workshop were to (i)orient and sensitize
various stakeholders likepolicymakers,
planners, programme functionaries,
media, public-private health care
providers, NGOs, PRIs, women's
groups etc. on InstitutionalDeliveryfor
reducing maternal mortality; (ii)
promote antenatal care for effective
and sustainable approaches for
promoting institutional delivery in
health services; and (iii)ensure client
involvement in Janani Bal Suraksha
Yojna to enhance institutional delivery
practices. A total of 60 participants
including representatives of the state
government, universities and the
representatives of MNGOs, FNGOs
and SNGOs participated in the
workshop.
Mr R U Singh, Honorary Advisor of
PH for Bihar and Jharkhand delivered
Mr. Matish Kumar Coordinator, RRC,
Patna during group work
the introductory address on PH and
its activities. He shared that as RRC,
PFI works towards providing
technical support in programme
management to MNGOs, FNGOs,
SNGOs and the state NGO
committee under the Government of
India assisted MNGO scheme,
working to improve the RCH services
as per the goals of National
Population Policy 2000. He observed
that institutional delivery under the
care and supervision of a trained
health care provider promotes child
survival and reduces the risk of
maternal mortality. Seven out of
every 100 children born in India die
before reaching the age of one and
approximately five out of every 1000
pregnant mothers die due to
pregnancy and child birth related
causes.
The Chief Guest Dr Shubhash
Chandra Bhusan, Civil Surgeon,
Chhapra in his address, said that if a
mother is healthy, she would deliver
a healthy baby resulting in a healthy
country. Children should be
immunized at the right time to ensure
protection from diseases.
The likelihood of giving birth in
medical institutions depends on many
factors including urban/rural
residence, demographic and socio-
economic characteristics and
availability and quality of health
services. Institutional delivery is
Dr. Shubhash Chandra Bhushan, Civil
Surgeon, Chhapra, inaugurating the
workshop
associated with the mother's
education, exposure to mass media
and standard of living. Rural literate
mothers are more likely to give birth
in medical institution than illiterate
mothers. As per the NFHS-II in Bihar,
only 7% illiterate mothers deliver
children in the medical institutions
compared to 39% of literate mothers
(middle school complete or above).
In the group work organized to
deliberate on constraints of
institutional delivery, the participants
discussed (i) factors influencing/
associated with institutional delivery,
(ij) challenges pertaining to
institutional delivery, (iii)strategies for
promotion of institutional delivery and
(iv) activities based on the strategies
for institutional delivery.
The recommendations from the
workshop have been documented
and will be shared with the State
Government.
•
Exploratorv visit hV PFI Scaling UP Team to GINI, Kolkata
Continuing with its commitment to
identify and scale up promising
practices in Adolescent Reproductive
and Sexual Health (ARSH)in India, PH
team recently made an exploratory visit
to Comprehensive Young People's
Reproductive Health Programme
initiated by Child In Need Institute
(CINI),Kolkata, West Bengal piloted at
Thakurpukur Maheshtala block of
South 24 Pargana, West Bengal.
Gaining from the experiences of the
pilot, CINI further strengthened the
adolescent programme and initiated a
second stage pilot in West Bengal and
Jharkhand. This project aimed at
improving the sexual and reproductive
health status of young people
(10- 24) in West Bengal and Jharkhand
in addition to reduction in the
vulnerability of HIV/ AIDS among
them.
As part of the scaling up screening,
an exploratory visit is the first step to
understand a model! promising
practices and to understand the
potential for scaling up. Besides
interacting with key officials of CIN!
at Kolkata, PH team also visited the
demonstration site in Falta block of
South 24 Parganas and met various
Adolescent peer educators and animators
during the visit
government officials and beneficiaries
to understand the programme from
the scaling up perspective.
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PopfOcus
Institutional Development Framework Workshop
with Karuna Trust
Building on the scaling up
processes started earlier this year
for the scaling up of Public Private
Partnership (PPP) model of manage-
ment of PHC by Karuna Trust, PH
along with Management Systems
International (MSI) planned and
facilitated a three day Institutional
Development Framework (IDF)
workshop during November 19-21,
2008 in Bangalore. Key Board and
senior staff members of Karuna Trust
(KT) actively participated. The key
objective of the workshop was to take
forward the process of system
strengthening and capacity building of
Karuna Trust as an organization to
scale up their PHC model in
Karnataka and other states; and
design a process for expanding KT's
primary health care model in
Karnataka, Orissa and other states by
taking over management of PHCs
through a process of expansion and
collaborating with NGOs operating in
those states.
The workshop started with the
expectations of the participants
followed by introduction to the
Institutional Development Frame-
work. The IDF exercise began with
a review of the work of the previous
planning workshops where essential
components of Karuna Trust's PHC
management model were identified
and documented. Some of the key
questions from the earlier workshops
that guided this process included
the challenges in expansion and
collaboration of the model,
highlighting issues of human
resources, relationship with the
government at different levels;
financial resources; capacity building;
variance in awareness levels of the
community etc.
IDF is a tool developed by Manage-
ment Systems International USA,
which has principles of transparency,
'ARIIARTAN
participatory approach, customer
orientation, outward focus and
systematic working. This tool not only
helps in taking an objective look at
the present scenario of the
organization, but also ensures
responsiveness and focuses on
programmatic approach. It empowers
allies, neutralizes foes and helps
to arrive at a decision through
a systematic process involving
all stakeholders. The workshop
participants customized the standard
base IDF matrix to suit the needs
of KT.
The three day workshop was very
intensive and productive as it helped
Karuna Trust reflect on its scaling
up process and examine various
options. A list of key action points
were developed by the end of the
workshop to charter the scaling up
process.
•
A review meeting of the
Corporate sector-PH Parivartan
project was organized on December
5, 2008 at PH The main objectives
of the meeting were to review the
progress of the project and initiate
discussion on follow up strategies for
the project.
During the project period, there have
been many changes in the
community's perception towards
women's reproductive and child health
issues. These can be understood by
the following observable changes in
the project area:
1. Contraceptive
Users (any
method): there has been an
increase of 12-14.5% of
contraceptive users since the
inception of the project.
2. Safe Delivery: Percentage of safe
delivery increased to 85% from a
baseline figure of 52% in the
project area. Safe delivery includes
institutional delivery and home
delivery conducted by trained Dais.
3. ANC Care: Status of three or more
~~[m~r~@~~mm~~~'f ~m
10% in the baseline to 81 % in the
project area. The high ANC
coverage is due to direct and
regular service delivery by project
ANM and Medical Officer as well
as good cooperation from the
government ANM.
The project places a lot of
emphasis on post natal care.
Status of PNC was almost nil
in the baseline and has
increased to almost 100%
natal care. Status of PNC was
almost nil in the base line and has
increased to almost 100% in the
project area. This was possible
because PNC check ups are done
by trained VLMs who visit and
counsel all mothers who have
recently delivered. Three PNC
visitswithin 42 days are mandatory
in the project.
6. Mobile Clinics: The project has
organized 149 mobile clinics so far
with a total of 39352 patients
seen, of which 16716 women
were treated.
in the project area.
4. Institutional Delivery: Status of
institutional delivery has increased
from 52% to as high as 83%. The
project focuses on promoting
institutional delivery by ensuring
referrals and JSY benefits to
beneficiaries in the project area.
Delivery cases are transferred to
government facilities in the area.
7. Contraceptive Coverage: During
the project period 102 eligible
women were provided IUD
services. As many as 3506 eligible
couples were supplied with
condoms and 5961 women were
supplied with oral pills.
8. Immunization: During the project
period a total of 20498 children
were immunized completely.
5. Post Natal Care: The project The future plan and financial aspects
~~I ~I~~tt~M~~~M~I~~M~ W~~1~1M~I~Mt JIhtL meJlng.
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PopJOcus
PFIStrategic Planning Workshop
With the dual but complementary
objectives of developing PFI
'Strategic Plan 2009-2014' and
building the PH institutional capacity
on 'Scaling Up', a two day workshop
was conducted on 18th and 19th
December, 2008, for the PH staff
including the senior management
team. The workshop was facilitated
by Nipun Consultants.
The workshop began with basic
guidelines for the workshop while
taking into consideration, the hopes
and concerns of the participants. The
strategic planning took place through
different individual and group
exercises, such as brain storming in
the plenary, discussions and
presentations in small groups.
The strategic planning workshop
process enabled the PFI team to
ponder over and answer the following
10 strategic questions:
• What is the idea that
organizations should work on?
• Can we develop a prospective
project from the idea?
• What support do we need?
• Who would be the beneficiaries?
• What is the required fund for this
project?
• What are the funding sources?
• What is the potential for scaling
up?
• What are the manpower
requirements?
• Do we have adequate skills and
expertise?
• Is the project in alignment with
any of the Organization's
objectives? If yes, which ones?
At the end of the two day workshop
18 innovative ideas were identified by
the participants which were priori-
tized and will be developed and taken
forward in future. It was a beneficial
exercise which helped develop newer
perspectives and direction for PH as
an organization.
•
Increasing Access to Qualitv of Care
in Familv Planning Services in Unarakhand
Icnollaboration with Himalyan Institute of Hospital Trust,
PH has initiated a 4 year project in Doiwala block of
District Dehradun and the adjoining slums of Rishikesh
(Chandreshwar Nagar) with an overall goal of developing
and implementing an innovative model of quality of care
in Family Planning Services.
planning and will also provide inputs into development of
tools, material, protocols, and documentation of good
practices and lessons learnt. An orientation training
programme, chaired by the Medical Superintendent of
Doiwala CHC, was conducted for all members of the cell in
October 2008.
A technical resource cell for family planning has been
established in HIHT comprising a multidisciplinary panel
which includes representatives of Obstetrics &
Gynaecology, Community Medicine, Surgery and Nursing
Departments. This technical resource cell will guide the
project in monitoring the quality of family planning
services. The cell will take the lead on training, research
and provision of quality of care in the area of family
A detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) has been developed
for the implementation of activities. The DIP includes details
of training programmes, content materials, resource persons,
roles and responsibilities of staff members etc. Household
listing has begun and the project has initiated activities to
review all existing IEC materials available in the state. Based
on the review, need based IEC strategy will be developed for
the project.
•
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',!i
PopJOCUs
The Global Fund Round 4 & Round 6 Programme on HIV/AIDS
State Level Programme
Coordination Committee
Meetings with State AIDS
Control Society
The fourth State Level Programme
Coordination Committee meeting
with Gujarat AIDS Control Society
(GSACS) under the Global Fund
Round-6, Promoting Access to Care
and Treatment (PACT) Programme
was held on 2nd December, 2008 at
GSACS Office in Ahmedabad. In
Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan,
meetings with respective SACS took
place on 21st November, 2008 and
5th December, 2008 respectively. In
the meetings, the progress in Round
-6 PACT programme was discussed.
Interaction Meetings
Interaction meetings with PLHAs and
service providers were conducted in
Mirzapur, Varanasi, Deoria and
Kushinagar districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The meetings helped in breaking the
barriers between different health care
providers like ART centre, ICTC,
other health programmes, PLHAs
etc. It also provided them an
opportunity to get insights about their
legal rights and how and when they
can avail such legal assistance.
DLN MIS Audit
The PFI-PMU has initiated an
external MIS data quality audit for
DLNs in Round 6 programme. The
main purpose of the data quality audit
is to assess the quality of the
programme data and assist sub-
recipients to improve the quality of
their reporting system.
Special Studies
Effectiveness of Treatment
Counseling Centres
PH commissioned a special study,
"Effectiveness of Treatment
Counseling Centres (TCCs)" under
Round 4 programme across the six
high prevalence states. The study is
expected to provide strategic inputs
with regard to functioning of TCCs
and its contribution to the national
programme.
II
Comprehensive Care and Support Centre, Trichyof Freedom Foundation awarded
by Rotary Club of Trichy
Impact Assessment
Another special study PFI
commissioned was on "Impact
Analysis of Access to Care and
Treatment Programme" under
Round 4 programme at the selected
districts. The study is expected to
gather evidence for impact or
explore the potential for impact.
PH will use the results of the study to
seek continued assistance from
The Global Fund under Rolling
Continuation Channel.
Regional Training Workshop on
Monitoring and Evaluation
The South and West Asia Regional
Team of The Global Fund organized a
regional training workshop on
"Monitoring and Evaluation" during
October 21-23, 2008 at Kochi, Kerala.
The workshop was facilitated by
The Global Fund Secretariat
with inputs from technical partners.
The workshop was attended by
Dr.Phanindra Babu Nukella,Ms. Rohini
Gorey, Mr. Neeraj Mishra and Mr. Ritu
Kumar Mishra from PH and M&E unit
of CBCI and HLFPPT.
Dr. Phanindra Babu making a presentation on "Successful Practices in M&E"
at Kochi, Kerala
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PopJOcus
Population of India: Facts and Figures
Year
1st March, 2001
Population
102,86,10,328
1st March, 2008
114,47,34,000
1st March, 2009
116,08,13,000
Mid-2008
2011
Scenario - A*
114,93,00,000
120,37,11,000
Scenario - B**
120,10,29,000
2008
118,61,86,000
Source
India, Registrar General. 2004. Final Population Totals.
Series-I. Delhi: Controller of Publication.
Projected Population
Registrar General, India. 2006. Population Projection for India
and States 2001-2026 (Revised December 2006). Delhi:
Controller of Publication.
Registrar General, India. 2006. Population Projection for India
and States 2001-2026 (Revised December 2006). Delhi:
Controller of Publication.
Population Reference Bureau. 2008. World Population Data
Sheet 2008. Washington: Population Reference Bureau.
Population Projection by PH and PRB
Population Foundation of India and Population Reference
Bureau.2007. The Future Population of India: A Long
Range Demographic View. Delhi: Population Foundation of India
and Population Reference Bureau.
Population Foundation of India and Population Reference
Bureau.2007. The Future Population of India: A Long
Range Demographic View. Delhi: Population Foundation of India
and Population Reference Bureau.
United Nation Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific.
2008. World Population Data Sheet for ESCAP region.
Bangkok: Emerging social Issues Division, ESCAP.
• PH should prepare a document on
implications of population
stabilization and skewed child sex
ratio so that strategies can be
developed.
• Although there is the PNDT Act,
its enforcement has often been
perfunctory. The law enforcement
needs to be more systematic.
• The following are needed to further
the rights of women, end
discrimination against women and
improve sex ratio at birth.
- Need to place the problem in
the broader context of
discrimination of women.
- Need for clarity on impact of
consequences of low child sex
ratio on individual women and
on womanhood as a whole e.g.
violence against women.
- Careful use of terminology and
imagery so that it does not lead
to more confusion on the MTP
Act and what it offers women
and not let it translate into anti
abortion messages.
- Ensure access to safe abortion
services for women as per the
law.
• Corporates must invest their
resources in educating the girl
child, providing health insurance to
girl child, sensitizing the
community and other stakeholders
against female foeticide.
Vocational training and more
employment opportunities to
females must be provided.
• Media has an important role to
play in advocating against female
foeticide and sex selection.
• Increased visibility of girls and
women so as to improve their
status and so that people start
valuing the girl child. Publicize
stories of parents living with
daughters to counter the strong
cultural belief that sons are
necessary to take care of parents
in their old age.
• Empowerment of community
based women's groups along with
early registration of pregnancies
and follow up is a promising
approach for preventing sex
selective abortions.
• Interdepartmental and inter-
sectoral convergence is required
for women's empowerment - for
better social security, reservation,
education, employment etc.
• Platforms should be created for
corp orates / Govt./ NGOs to
come together for discussion and
collaboration.
• MTP Act needs to be reviewed in
the light of 'Right to Abortion'.
• Female foeticide is an issue that
needs to be converted in to a mass
movement. One of the ways of
doing this was to pay attention to
girl achievers and highlight them
much more in the media, because
women have to strive harder and
go through numerous hardships to
achieve.
•
II
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Pop}Ocus
Swasthva Aangan: Annual Review Meeting
The annual review meeting of "Swasthya Aangan" -
a project implemented by Tata Chemical Society for
Rural Development (TCSRD) was held on December 8,
2008 at PH, New Delhi. A four member team of TCSRD
including Project Manager, Mr Prantik Sarkar was present
at the meeting.
In his presentation, the TCSRD Project Manager,
highlighted the objectives of the project, activities and
achievements - selection and training of Village Level
Motivators (VLMs), setting up of Parivaar Kalyaan
Kendras (PKKs), formation of Village Health Committees
and provision of services through mobile van.
The Swasthya Aangan team shared that the ANC coverage
and awareness has improved, the number of safe deliveries
has gone up and so has the number of eligible couples
accepting any method of contraception. The TFR has gone
down and the immunization coverage has improved. They
recommended that it is necessary to:
i. Train Village Level Motivators and Dais,
ii. Strengthen VLMs and ASHA, and
iii.Develop more innovative IEC material.
The presentation was followed by a discussion on some of
the key issues such as advocacy for quality sterilization
facilities and Aanganwadi Centers, collaboration with
government for immunization, mass IEC programmes,
empowering VHCs and tracking of beneficiaries of the
project.
Mr. A R Nanda, Executive Director, PH shared his views,
emphasizing that it is critical to assess community needs
for family planning services as well as quality of care, before
advocating for sterilization facilities. The services provided
should be user-friendly and gender sensitive.
SAIRC Second Conference on
Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Respiratorv Disease, 2008
The SAARC Second Conference
on Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and
Respiratory Disease, 2008 was held
during 15th-18th December 2008 at
Kathmandu, Nepal. This Conference,
themed "Working Together to
Fight against TB, HIV/ AIDS and
Respiratory Diseases" aimed at
highlighting the achievements and
challenges of TB and HIV/ AIDS
control, while emphasizing
partnership building among different
sectors involved in the control
measures. Ms. Rashmi Sharma,
Sr. Programme Associate from the
HIV/ AIDS unit of PFI presented a
paper on "Treatment Adherence
- Involvement of PLHA" at the
conference.
World AIDS Day 2008
World AIDS Day was observed on
1st December, 2008 at PFI office in
New Delhi under the chairmanship
of Prof. Ranjit Roy Chaudhury,
Governing Board Member, PH
Prof. Chaudhury reiterated the
message that HIV/ AIDS is no more
a death sentence. He also spoke
about the potential of schools in
combating HIV/ AIDS and observed
that school children are the strongest
change agents, who need to be
actively sensitized and involved in the
fight against the disease.
Prof. Chaudhury released the first
newsletter of HIV/ AIDS Programme,
'P-ACT News' and Peer Educators'
Kit consisting of a diary for peer
'P-ACT NEWS', the first newsletter of Global Fund HIV/AIDS Programme
being released on 1st December, 2008
educator, two flip books on livingwith
HIV/ AIDS and managing HIV/ AIDS
and four leaflets on HIV/ AIDS. The
peer educators' kit is available in six
languages, namely, English, Hindi,
Telegu, Tamil, Kannada and Marathi.
The states and regional coordination
units of PFI also organized
programmes to observe the World
NDSD~.
•
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Pop)Ocus
Improving the Reproductive Health Status of Married Adolescents
Population Foundation of India
(PH) and the Institute of Health
Management, Pac hod (IHMP) have
joined hands to implement an
innovative operations research
project "Reducing Reproductive
Morbidity among Married Young
Women in Rural Maharashtra" for
improving the reproductive health
status of married adolescents in the
five most backward districts of
Maharashtra. The project titled as
SATHI is being implemented with
financial support from Sir Dorabji
Tata Trust (SDTT), Mumbai. The
project has the potential of
culminating into a State Policy for
Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual
Health in Maharashtra and serve as
a model for adoption by Government
of India.
A review meeting of organizations
participating in the SATHI
programme was held on 22nd
December 2008 at the Sanskriti
Samwardhan Mandai, Nanded. It was
attended by representatives of
Sir Dorabjee Tata Trust (SDTT),
Population Foundation of India (PH),
Institute of Health Management
Pachod (IHMP) and representatives
of 5 partners NGOs viz:
• Apeksha Homeo Society,
Gurukunj Mozari, Amravati (AHS)
• Gramin Vikas Mandai, Bansarola,
Beed (GVM)
• Late Shriram Ahirrao Memorial
Trust, Betawat, Dhule (SAMT)
• Sanskruti Sam-
vardhan Mandai,
Sagroli, Nanded
(SSM)
• Youth Welfare
Association of
India, Buldhana
(YWAI)
The
meeting
commenced with
introduction of
partners, followed
by presentations on
progress of the
SATHI Project,
by IHMP and 5
implementing partners and a detailed
discussion on finance related issues
as well.
The following issues were discussed
during the meeting:
• Implementation
of Janani
Suraksha Yojana (JSY) would be
promoted by the program staff as
a strategy to promote institutional
deliveries. The Village Health and
Sanitation Committees would need
to be empowered and assisted to
get the PHC to function efficiently
& effectively.
Analysis of the field reports
would be made so as to gain
further insight on programme
implementation. The reports
would reflect where the beneficiary
receives services from i.e. from the
govt / private sector and from the
Implementing NGO.
• Contraceptive distribution would
be recorded so as to reflect the
number of users. Beneficiaries
must be motivated to opt for
spacing methods rather than
sterilization particularly if the girl
is less than 22 years of age. Also
PNC visits would be recorded more
carefully reflecting beneficiaries
with 3 or more visits
• Male participation must be
increased. Various strategies would
be planned and discussed to
achieve this with particular regard
to RTI/STI treatment; HIV testing
and condom usage.
• Supervisory visit protocol (checklist)
would be revisited. During each
quarterly review meeting a detailed
plan for the next quarter to be made
with budgetary allocation for
activitiesfor each partner. This would
result in accurate planning for funds
required for the next quarter. •
11I-
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PopJOcus
Education Day Observed by the Government of Bihar
The Department of Human
Resource
Development,
Government of Bihar observed
"Education Day" on November
11-12, 2008 at Patna. PFI was
requested by NSS and the
Department of Youth, Art, Culture
and Sports Affairs to organize a
discussion on "The Draft Bihar Youth
Policy in the Context of National
Youth Policy" at the event.
Mr Ram Updesh Singh (IAS),
Honorary Advisor of PFI for Bihar
and Jharkhand presented an
overview on the national and state
policies and its focus at the event.
He also provided an insight on the
key strategies for youth in the 11 th
Five Year Plan. Mr. Satya Ranjan
Mishra, Project Manager, PFI
presented a summary of PFI's
initiatives for youth in the State
since 2003 including providing
technical support to the Government
of Bihar.
Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, State Project
Co-ordinator spoke on the vision and
strategy of the regional consultations
held in the State in 2007 with a focus
on recommendations emerging from
the consultations. The findings and
recommendations of the Draft Bihar
YouthPollcywere also discussedamong
the participants at the event.
•
Mr. Stanzin Dawa, who has joined
the Foundation as Programme Manager
for Scaling Up project. He was earlier
managing a multifaceted post tsunami
development project while working with
ADRA India as Project Manager based in
Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
He has 12 years experience in social
development and public health sector
across India. He has MA Sociology,
MA Peace Studies, PG Health, Family
Welfare and Population Education
including PG in Sustainable Development.
Ms. Piyali Sarkar
who has joined the Foundation
as Documentation Associate for
the Global Fund Round 6
project. She has M.Phii Degree
in Political Studies and is
presently pursuing Ph.D in
Political Studies from
Jawaharlal Nehru University.
She has more than two years
of experience in gender issues
and HIV/AIDS.
Ms. Parul Sharma
who has joined the
Foundation as
Programme Associate
(Programme Development).
She has Post Graduate
Diploma in Health
Management (PGDHM).
She has experience in
Reproductive & Child
Health, HIV/AIDS and
Leprosy.
Editorial Guidance
Mr A.R. Nanda
Ms Sona Sharma
Editor
Ms Chandni Malik
Editorial Assistance
Ms Jolly Jose
Editorial Committee
Ms Usha Rai
Dr Almas A1i
Dr Kumudha Aruldas
Dr Lalitendu Jagatdeb
Dr Sharmila G. Neogi
Published by
Population Foundation of India
B-28, Qutab InstitutionalArea, New Delhi-110016, India
Tel: 91-11-42899770,42899771
Fax: 91-11-42899795
e-mail:popfound@sify.com
website:www.popfound.org