Creating Community Environments that Promote Comprehensive Health and

Wellness

Access to the safe water supply is one of the most important determinants of
health and socioeconomic development .Tube wells which is the major source of
drinking and cooking water in West Bengal, are contaminated by naturally
occurring arsenic [
The five districts- Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24-Parganas and South-24
Parganas situated at Eastern bank of river Bhagarathi are severely affected and
at the Western bank three districts (Burdwan, Howrah, Hoogly) are comparatively
less affected of arsenic Arsenic contaminated drinking water is highly toxic and
hazardous to human health.
there exists a correlation between socio-economic-demographic factors and the
arsenic related health hazards (i.e. arsenicosis). Arsenicosis is far greater in the
case of their engagement in agricultural activities (62.4%) than that in non
agricultural activities (54.29%)
More educated people (who have studied at least till Higher Secondary level) are
seen to be less affected (less than 50% of them are affected) by the disease than
the less educated ones (who have not studied beyond the Secondary level). It
has been seen that in the lower and middle income groups, the number of
people suffering from arsenic related health hazards is far greater than in the
higher income group. That the higher income groups are relatively safer may be
due to their food intake which is definitely more nutritious than that of the two
lower groups
Arsenicosis effected person in the age group of 30 to 50 years is around 71%
ender disparity of seeking medical help from registered practitioners ranges from
social to economic. Transport cost becomes an economic burden over and above
the expenditure for treatment. Moreover in a strong patriarchal society women
are not allowed to venture out of home alone too often and this has restricted
them within the confines of the local doctors in their villages.
Gender discrimination was also reflected through expenditure on medical
treatment. For treatment of males, borrowing money or selling household
property were the sources of money though debt is less for treatment. For
example, selling assets for medical care of males is 67%, for females is 33% and
expenditure procured by reducing family expenditures is 93% for males and 7%
for females and more than one ways (like taking loan, selling off properties,
reducing family expenditures) is 89% for males, for females is 11%. Two reasons
why more attention was paid towards males medical treatment are traditional

gender bias towards males and more severe manifestation of symptoms of

arsenic poisoning among males.
The poor population pays the highest cost due to groundwater arsenic pollution
as they are already made vulnerable by their poor socio- economic standards of
living. This also poses a great health threat to the most productive section of the
society. As the study shows the men within the age group of 30-50 years are the
worst affected by this problem, what follows from here that the dependency ratio
in these villages will increase and productivity and life expectancy will be
significantly lowered in the near future. Greater emphasis should be placed on
the provision of arsenic free safe water to be made easily available to the people
of the affected areas which would surely yield direct health benefits to the
patients of Arsenicosis as well. Along with the regular awareness programmes
where all the villagers are supposed to assemble at a designated time,
dissemination programmes through various research surveys which are
individualized by research teams as well as peer to peer communication should
be made more frequent. Involvement of the patients in information
dissemination is necessary as they can be the live example of the health hazards
of groundwater arsenic pollution as well as the dire need for arsenic free safe
drinking water. To list the most sparsely served areas is important to make the
awareness programmes widespread. Schools and colleges should be also
included as the young students educated there can in turn educate their families
and there lies a promise of a better future. Trainers training programmes can be
introduced through which school and college teachers as well as school children
can become the great champions of this cause and help the information
dissemination produce more effect.
Undertaking Health and Environment awareness programme with the use of Audio-Visual
equipment.
4. Undertaking and motivating for immunization for the children and mother.
implementing the programme through SHGs with the help of Block-level Health Officials
and PRIs. Various kinds of IEC components have been developed & disseminated.
Objective:
To strengthen the capacity of the staff of Organisation to ensure practice of programme
activities.
To increase the knowledge through proper BCC among the target group regarding STI
and HIV/AIDS
To reach an effective and consistent condom use ( 75%) among the target group within
two years ( 2010-12).
To reduce the rate of STI infection among the target group within twenty fourth month.
To create an enabling environment
To empower & mobilize the community so as to ensure project sustainability

It is estimated maximum number of HIV transmission in India is related to Unprotected

sex or sharing of Injecting equipments between an d uninfected individual. It is estimated
maximum number of HIV transmission in India is related to Unprotected sex or sharing of
Injecting equipments between an d uninfected individual. Government of India has

launched National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) to address the health needs of rural
population ,especially the vulnerable section of the society.

ASHA is the first port of call for any health related demands of deprived sections of the
population especially the women and children who find difficulties to access health
services. The ASHA is the health activist for generating awareness on different health
services among the village people by covering 1000 population (For one ASHA) in a GP.
ASHA works on social determinants and mobilize the community towards local health
planning and increased utilization and accountability of the existing health services.

The main of the activity of the ASHAs are to mobilize the grassroot level people to access
the health care services from the Sub Centre in a regular basis. She is counseling the
Village women on Birth preparedness ,importance of safe delivery, ANC, PNC, ICDS,
Sanitation and other services, breast-feeding, immunization ,contraception and
prevention of common infections including Reproductive Tract Infection/Sexually
Transmitted Infection (RTIs/STIs) and care of young child.

ASHA is also working with the Village Health and Sanitation committee of the Gram
Panchayet to develop a comprehensive village health plan.At present ASHA is also
escorting pregnant women and children requiring treatment /admission to the nearest
pre-identified health facility, ie primary health centre/community health centre,/first
referral unit etc:
promote consrtruction of household toilets under total sanitation campaign.

Community Health and Community Management Initiative:

The main objective of the CHCMI programmes are as follows:
To institutionalize the system of public health monitoring by the panchayets,
To sensitise communities including the SHGs on the issues of public health
To build up capacity of the communities including SHGs to plan and implement and
manage health care interventions by developing among them a strong sense of
ownership of the system
To improve coordination among the various units of service providers PRIs and
community members The five issues are addressed under CHCMI programme:1,Maternal
Health ,measured by ANTE Natal care and Safe delivery 2,Primary immunization
3.Childhood nutrition .measured by children grade by 111 or 1V malnutrition r 4:
Community Health ,measured by improved sanitation and access to safe drinking
water.5: control of common Vector borne Diseases,concentrating on malaria and diarrhea
diseases.
The key institution of this programme is the Gram Panchayat and Self Help Groups

members are playing key role in implementing CHCMI programme in the village. Block
level sesitation,Capacity building of the SHGs members,Sensitisation meeting with the
PRI members and other stake holders on Community Health and community
management program are running by GUP.

India is country of 1200 million people; of which 450 million are children of up to 18
years. 500 millions of people in India still live on less then $1.25 a day; of which 140
millions are children. 35 millions of them are orphan and 5.5 millions of these children are
affected by HIV/AIDS. As per UNICEF, there are 11 million street children in India. On an
average 100,000 children could be found living on the street of cities and towns across
the state of West Bengal.
Children are innocent, vulnerable, dependent, curious, active and full of hope. This is the
inherent nature of children which never changes across the world. What does change is
the circumstances they are faced with and the situations they live in.
This is exactly what makes children on the street different from others around them. They
are faced with the demons of physical danger, poverty, hunger, homelessness, epidemics
and illiteracy. These children are often found as orphans, engaged in hazardous work and
petty crimes or end up as victims of prostitution and sexual abuse. You can re-write and
change the future of these hapless children with your passion and commitment for them.
Gana Unnayan Parshad (GUP), a regd. National level voluntary organization, has been
working for mainstreaming and sustainable development of these children who are found
very much dynamic and can prove themselves equally potential if given a chance and
favorable environment.

If you do believe that our children are the future of our nation, then you must step
forward to show your commitment for our nation. As the journey of even thousands miles
start with our simple step, so the change for a better future of our nation can start with
your simple act of giving donation whatever you think it best. e do respect your decision
even if you can not donate anything now but you can tell others about our work if you
are convinced. You can go through our organization profile for details of activities
undertaken by organization since its inception www.gup-ngo-india.org, gup1984@bsnl.in.
Through this programme we provided shelter, nutrition, health care, education,
recreation, facilities to identified street children in different parts of kolkata, and seeks to
protect them against abuse and exploitation. The programme was aiming at building
societys awareness of the rights of the child enshrined in the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child (CRC) and in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act,
2000.
We look forward to your kind support in any form and measure you are willing to give.
You can give in cash, or in kind, or by Cheque Demand Draft or money order on the name
of Gana Unnayan Parshad payable at kolkata as you please. We will reach at your
doorstep whenever we received a call from your end.
Soliciting your kind cooperation and looking forward to hearing from You, Yours sincerely.