- Another achievement for Yogi govt, UP’s Basti and Auraiya to get awarded at national level on Dec 18
- UP’s Basti has been selected in the High Focus Large States – Moderate Wealth Level category
- Auraiya will get an award under High Focus Large States – Moderate Wealth Level category on Dec 18
By Our Correspondent
Lucknow/Basti: In a notable achievement for the Uttar Pradesh government, Basti district has been selected for the seventh JRD Memorial Award along with Auraiya district for the best performance in the country under the High Focus Large States – Moderate Wealth Level category. As a reward, the district will receive financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh.
Notably, the award is based on the recommendations of a prestigious Independent Third Party Technical Advisory Committee (USAID) based on significant progress in 20 indicators affecting the health of women and girls, such as adolescent health, drinking water, cleanliness and hygiene, reproductive health, women’s empowerment, crimes related to women, family planning, fertility rate, etc. District Basti has made meaningful progress in this area.
It is noteworthy that the seventh JRD Memorial Award will be organized on December 18, 2023, in New Delhi. In this, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran will present the award to Basti’s District Magistrate Andra Vamsi.
Significant change in 8 years
Basti DM Andra Vamsi said that USAID has evaluated the progress on these parameters on the basis of NFHS-5 (2019-21) and sample registration system relative to the National Family Health Survey 2015-16 (NFHS-4), in which the performance of District Basti has been excellent.
He stated that in the last 8 years, the district has shown significant improvement in various health and demographic indicators such as reproductive health, adolescent health, menstrual hygiene, sanitation, access to clean drinking water, nutrition, antenatal and postnatal care, reduction in anemia, reduction in stunting, and increased vaccination coverage.
The District Magistrate highlighted the methodology adopted for the selection of the district and the overall data from various international institutions that have been studied clearly show that Basti has achieved significant success. He credited the entire health department teams and district administration teams for playing a crucial role in achieving this milestone for Basti under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi.
Significant progress in health-related statistics in Basti
Over the past 8 years, Basti district has made significant progress not only in women’s health but also in overall health statistics. The prevalence of anemia in women (15-49 years) has reduced from 55.7 percent to 39.9 percent. For adolescent girls (15-19 years), the rate of anemia has decreased from 58.9 percent to 41.1 percent. Moreover, complete vaccination coverage has increased from 57.5 percent to 73.8 percent.
In children (under 5 years), stunting has decreased from 48.9 percent to 35.9 percent, while family planning time has seen an increase from 18.71 percent to 47.6 percent.
Similarly, contraceptive prevalence rate has increased from 18.3 percent to 72 percent, unmet family planning needs have decreased from 29.9 percent to 11.1 percent, child marriage percentage has decreased from 28.3 percent to 15.9 percent, teenage child bearing rate has reduced from 1.3 percent to 1.0 percent, high birth order (3 or more children) has decreased from 4.6 percent to 2.6 percent, antenatal care visits (at least 4 visits) have increased from 19.8 percent to 31.5 percent, postnatal care within 48 hours of birth have increased from 50.6 percent to 83.8 percent, average out of pocket expenditure for maternal care has reduced to Rs. 2062 from Rs. 4428, safe delivery rate has increased from 76.6 percent to 92 percent, and institutional deliveries have increased from 60.5 percent to 79.2 percent.
Additionally, improved household sanitation facilities have increased from 18.7 percent to 64.2 percent, and the usage of menstrual hygiene products among women has increased from 35.4 percent to 73.3 percent.
District Auraiya has also been selected
Under the category of High-Focus Large States – Moderate Wealth Level, Auraiya has also been selected as the best-performing district along with Basti. A letter has been sent by the organization to honor the district.
DM Neha Prakash has been informed in the invitation letter received from the Population Foundation of India that Auraiya district has been chosen for the seventh JRD Tata Memorial Awards and Oration Ceremony scheduled to be held in New Delhi on December 18, 2023. The selection is based on commendable efforts in advancing development and reproductive health programs in the district.
DM Neha mentioned that the selection of the district is commendable and involves the participation of everyone.
Organization acknowledges and honors states and districts with the highest performance
Founded in 1970 by the JRD Tata, the Population Foundation of India is an institution with five decades of research experience in the fields of women’s sensitivity, population, health, and development policies. This organization operates under the guidance of an eminent Management Council and Advisory Committee comprising experts from the government and private sectors.
Following the demise of JRD Tata, the foundation established the JRD Memorial Awards at the national level to honor and recognize states and districts with the highest performance. Through these awards, the organization acknowledges and appreciates the commendable efforts made by states and districts in various domains.
