How we make a difference

Asha's many initiatives in the field of healthcare have wide-ranging and ongoing benefits for slum residents. Once people are educated in nutrition, disease prevention and childcare they are able to change their behaviour so that they are at a lower risk of contracting disease and can also pass on their knowledge to others.

Immunisation programmes enable people to protect themselves from disease in situations where it would otherwise spread rapidly, and screening programmes mean that any illnesses are identified early on, usually with the result of making treatment more straightforward.

Health statistics in Asha slums are better than those in India as a whole

Statistics show that:

• The mortality rate of children under five in Asha slums is 30 per 1000 live births (much lower than the under-five mortality rate in India of 76 per 1000 live births, and the equivalent in India's slums of 100 per 1000 live births) **
  
  
• 96% of children under 5 are immunised against 10 vaccination preventable diseases in Asha areas - there is now virtual elimination of most of these diseases
  
  
• 84% of under-5 children are healthy for their age. In India as a whole, only 41% of under-5s are healthy **
  
  
• Every mother in Asha areas receives proper maternal care, whereas only 74% of mothers in India get antenatal care **
  
   
• 100% of new mothers in Asha areas start breastfeeding within 6 house, as opposed to only 37% in India countrywide **
  
  
• There have been no maternal deaths in Asha slums since 2000
  
  
• 60% of adults in Asha areas are using either temporary or permanent methods of contraception, compared with 48% in India as a whole. *
  
  
• The number of patients suffering from tuberculosis has fallen steadily in Asha slums, and 99.3% of sufferers are receiving regular treatment.

(References: * WHO Statistics, ** The State of the World's Children (Unicef))

Success of vaccination programmes

This year (2007-2008), there were no clinical cases of any of the 10 vaccine-preventable diseases detected in children. The extremely high coverage of the vaccination programme has meant that no children have been found to be suffering from: tuberculosis, diptheria, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, typhoid, mumps, measles or rubella.  

Very few cases of HIV present to date

Asha has been working on an HIV testing programme for the last 3 years. So far, more than 8000 people have been tested and only 3 of them have been found to be HIV positive. The HIV testing programmes are run in partnership with the government, and counselling is provided for people both before and after testing.

These statistics are surprising given the lack of education that is common in most slums. Now, the outlook is positive, as Asha has made good progress with its healthcare programmes that educate the slum men, women and children in prevention of many diseases, including HIV/ AIDS.

Thank You Asha

Originally I was wary of Asha and not keen to get involved, but then I joined a women's group and went on to train as a Community Health Volunteer. I am able to lead others because I lead myself first. I set myself as an example for others and then they come along. We have all gained so much from our involvement with Asha.

Shakuntala

President of the Mahila Mandal

Mayapuri