In a notable achievement for the Uttar Pradesh government, Basti district has been selected for the 7th JRD Memorial Award along with Auraiya for the best performance in the country under the High Focus Large States – Moderate Wealth Level category.
The award is based on the recommendations of a prestigious Independent Third Party Technical Advisory Committee of USAID based on significant progress in 20 indicators affecting the health of women and girls, drinking water, cleanliness and hygiene, reproductive health, women’s empowerment, crimes related to women, family planning, and fertility rate.
The award will be given on December 18 in New Delhi and the districts will receive financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each.
Basti District Magistrate Andra Vamsi said that USAID had evaluated the progress on the basis of NFHS-5 (2019-21) and sample registration system relative to the national family health survey NFHS-4 (2015-16).
He said that in the last eight years, the district had 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 disclosed that 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.
“Basti 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 per cent to 39.9 per cent. For adolescent girls (15-19 years), the rate of anemia has decreased from 58.9 per cent to 41.1 per cent. Moreover, complete vaccination coverage has increased from 57.5 per cent to 73.8 per cent,” the district magistrate said.
In children (under 5 years), stunting has decreased from 48.9 per cent to 35.9 per cent, while family planning time has seen an increase from 18.71 per cent to 47.6 per cent.
Similarly, contraceptive prevalence rate has increased from 18.3 per cent to 72 per cent, unmet family planning needs have decreased from 29.9 per cent to 11.1 per cent, child marriage percentage has decreased from 28.3 points to 15.9 points, teenage child bearing rate has reduced from 1.3 per cent to 1.0 per cent, high birth order (three or more children) has decreased from 4.6 per cent to 2.6 per cent, antenatal care visits (at least four visits) have increased from 19.8 per cent to 31.5 per cent, postnatal care within 48 hours of birth has increased from 50.6 per cent to 83.8 per cent, average out of pocket expenditure for maternal care has reduced to Rs 2,062 from Rs 4,428, safe delivery rate has increased from 76.6 per cent to 92 per cent, and institutional deliveries have increased from 60.5 per cent to 79.2 per cent.
Additionally, improved household sanitation facilities have increased from 18.7 per cent to 64.2 per cent, and the usage of menstrual hygiene products among women has increased from 35.4 per cent to 73.3 per cent.
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 organisation to honour the district.
District Magistrate Neha Prakash said that the selection of the district was commendable and involved the participation of everyone.
