ISHA'S CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE AREA OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

A.   RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY PROJECTS COMPLETED AND UNDERWAY

1.   Study of Nutritional Status of Women and Children covering two districts of Raichur and Gulbarga for Department of Women and Child Welfare, Karnataka State – Funded by Dept of Science and Technology, Bangalore.

2.   A major study of "Health of the Youth in Bangalore Slums" in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation, Funded by Dept of Science and Technology, New Delhi.

3.   Evaluated the IPP III Project on behalf of the Government of India and World Bank – Funded by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.

4.   Evaluation of the Scheme of Maternity Allowance, and Widow's Pension, for Department of Women and Child Welfare, Karnataka State.

5.   Study of the Situational Analysis of the Female Child in Karnataka State – Funded by UNICEF.

6.   Study on Present Stock of Health Manpower and Projected Requirements by 2000 - Four Southern States and Union Territories – Funded by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – Focus on Female Morbidity and Mortality.

7.   Conducted a comprehensive study on, "Reorganization of the Health Systems in Karnataka State", during 1982 towards maternal and child health – Funded by Karnataka State.

8.   Prepared a comprehensive study on Drug Distribution System in Karnataka State which is being implemented, 1978.

9.   Completed a comprehensive study on, "Functional Analysis of Primary Health Centres with regard to the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Family Welfare Programme in Karnataka State.

10.   Preparation of Project Report for IPP-V - Bombay and Madras for World Bank Assistance – Funded by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI, New Delhi.

11.   Strengthening Voluntary Organizations assisted under PVOH Scheme of Government of India - 39 projects – Funded by USAID, New Delhi.

12.   Distribution of Family Welfare Measures in IPP Districts - Andhra Pradesh – Funded by Andhra Pradesh Govt..

13.   Evaluation Study of Effectiveness of NGOs assisted by Government of India under Family Welfare promotion schemes – Funded by USAID, New Delhi.

B.   CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES

ISHA has organised National Conferences and training programmes on MCH, FW and related themes, as follows:

a. 1987 - Health of the High Risk Groups - Mothers, Children and Elderly
b. 1988 - Health of Women and Children for Development
c. 1991 - Health of the Youth and the Female Child
d. 1992 - Role of Voluntary Organizations in Health and Family Welfare
e. 2001-2002 – National Workshops on Health, Stress and Career Adjustment of Women: Professionals and Executives.

Conference Reports, and Recommendations are being used as guidelines by the Central and State Governments for policy formulation and programme implementation.

a. Training of medical officers of the primary health centres.
b. Organized Regional Workshops for Ministry of Health, Government of India, for the State     Nodal Officers and Key Trainers of Health staff of State Governments.
c. Conducted large number of Training Programmes for officers of the Central Government     Health Services, Directorate General of Health, Govt of India, and Public sector industry,     on MCH and FW Programme implementation.

C.  PUBLICATIONS

1.  Three Conference reports as above, devoted to mother and child health, widely distributed to over 3,000 ISHA members, professionals, State and Central Governments, industry, and local bodies.

2. Three special issues of the ISHA Journal devoted to FW, and, mother and child health are as follows: Planning and Management of Population and Health Programmes: Planning and Management of Child Health Programmes; and Planning and Management of Nutrition and Health Programmes. Journals have been widely distributed to over 3,000 ISHA members, other professionals, State and Central Governments, industry, medical colleges, and local bodies. In addition issue of te Journal on Stress Related Disorders devoted extensively to health and disorders in women.

3. Men and Women: Marriage and Health

D. INTERVENTION PROJECTS

1. Project on Comprehensive Health, including MCH and Family Welfare among approximately 20,000 adolescents and 15,000 bus drivers and their families in Bangalore City (Currently underway).

2. Project to promote MCH, Family Welfare and HIV-AIDS awareness among approximately 10,000 young men and women, including adolescents, in 30 slums of Bangalore City. (Currently underway).

E. THE PROPOSED STUDY: HEALTH OF WOMEN IN INDIA

A. Scope and Methodology

1. This Study will be based on secondary sources - review of research studies, publications, policy and program documents of national and international organizations; newspaper reports and unpublished documents of public and private organizations engaged in programmes for women's health and development.

2. The study would cover the following areas:

    The study would present the situation on urban-rural, state-wise; educational status wise, religion-wise, caste-wise, tribal and backward communities; region-wise, economic status wise, and other related factors.

B. Objectives and Outcomes

While numerous micro level studies have been initiated, however, there is no comprehensive survey report available at national level. The survey would aim to achieve the following objectives:

(a) Recommendations would be made for more effective prioritization and targeting of programmes by the international; national, and state governments.

(b) Recommendations would be made for strengthening of the programmes in the required states and for the disadvantaged female groups.

(c) Recommendations would be made for formulation of policies and programmes appropriate for the states and disadvantaged groups, by the international, national, and state governments.

(d) Experiences and strategies by the advantaged states and groups would be shared with the disadvantaged states and groups so that the disadvantaged states and groups could initiate appropriate programmes and strategies.

(e)  Appropriate action plans by the various forums would be initiated.

(f)  Special programmes and provisions are made in the Tenth Five Year Plan.

F. Study on Smoking behaviour, Cancer, Cardiac and fertility effects in Women in Urban and Rural areas.

G. Study on Assessment and Diagnosis of Paediatric Tuberculosis in India.