Health

UNICEF in action

© UNICEF India

A mother and child interact with one another.

UNICEF supports the national Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programme in its aim to reduce maternal, neonatal and child mortality by improving healthcare services for communities.

UNICEF’s primary support is through the Border District Cluster Strategy (BDCS), an initiative spearheaded by the Government and designed to reduce maternal and infant deaths in 49 under-developed districts.

Within BDCS, the Immunisation Plus project aims to increase multiple antigen immunisation coverage and Vitamin A supplementation. It supports the Government’s efforts to eradicate polio and tetanus in newborns and to ensure more effective measles control. It focuses on reaching under-reached and un-reached children with meticulously planned outreach sessions.

UNICEF also promotes awareness among decision-makers, donors, partners and Government functionaries about how routine immunisation is a crucial investment in a community’s overall health. Hepatitis B vaccine is being integrated into the existing routine immunisation programme, and in its initial phase has been introduced in 15 cities and 32 districts across the country.

© UNICEF India

An expectant mother.

A second area of focus is maternal and newborn care: UNICEF trains birth attendants in areas that have reported fewer than 30 per cent of deliveries as safe. It also focuses on obstetric care and early complications, and on reducing the delays in seeking medical care, reaching a medical facility and receiving adequate care.

As health and nutrition are inseparable, in BDCS districts, nurses (ANMs) and nutritional workers (AWWs) work as a team to ensure increased quality and functional synergy at subdistrict and village level. 

A crucial component within UNICEF’s assistance to the RCH programme is the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI), an innovative approach to tackle early newborn and child deaths through home-based visits.

UNICEF helped adapt the global strategy in collaboration with experts from the World Health Organisation. A pilot project of the IMNCI is currently underway in five states.

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Today, Gujarat ranks on the top in terms of economic development. I would, also like to see Gujarat on the top in the social development as well.