India Healthworker Programme VisitJanuary 2013

Overview

• Introduction to India• Challenges for children in India• Save the Children in India• Itinerary• What to bring• Making the most of your visit• Before you depart• Forms

Introduction to IndiaKey Facts•Capital City: New Delhi•Total Population: 1.21 Billion (2nd largest population)•Official Language: Hindi (with English as a subsidiary language)•Local Time: +5 hours

Further Info•Life Expectancy: 65 years•More children under-five die in India than any other country in the world - nearly 2 million each year •More starving children than whole of Africa•1 of the fastest growing economies in the world•Inequality•UK Aid cut by 2015

The situation for children in India

• 7 million children are thought to be out of school

• The Right to Education Act 2009- government legally responsible for ensuring all children 6-14 attend school + quality teaching + environment conducive to learning . Yet thousands of the most vulnerable children across India still have no access to education + poor quality.

• 20% of the world’s under-five deaths.

• Preventable

• Almost 50% of all children under five are malnourished

• 100,000 maternal related deaths (2009)

Save the Children in India• Save the Children has been working in India for over 60 years and

is one of the country’s largest child rights organisations.

• Supporting 600,000 children and their families across 54 districts in 13 states

• Innovative programmes- child survival- access to quality education- child protection- disasters and emergencies

• Working to directly reach 1.17 million children a year by 2015.

Health Programmes• 2009- EVERYONE campaign in India- MDG 4 (a reduction by 2/3 of under-five child mortality by 2015)

• We’re continuing to improve the health of thousands of children and mothers throughout India, and work to dramatically reduce the numbers of children and mothers dying.

• We’re focussing our work in the most marginalised and poorest communities in seven states - Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. We are:

• Promoting the importance of accessing services related to maternal, new born, child health and nutrition.

Health Programmes• Training community health workers

• Providing health services to the most marginalised families living in India’sslums.

• Mobile Health Units providing essential medical care and education on good sanitation practices to mothers and children.

• Working with actors such as the Department of Health and Family Welfare in order to support the delivery of health and nutrition services to communities.

• Using our evidence to influence policies and programmes

Our Visit- Trip Objectives

- To understand the situation for children in India- To visit health workers (including midwives, doctors and nurses) to learn about the challenges they face- To understand how international aid works and how these vital finds save lives every day- To meet and interact with communities to discuss health needs, concerns and challenges.

Our Visit- Dates

Sunday 20th January- Sunday 27th January

2 days travel, 5 days visiting programmes, 1 day relaxation and fun!

Our Visit- What to bringOtherTorchNotepad & pensDaypack (i.e. a very small

back pack)Drinking bottleMoney belt

RECOMMENDEDSandalsSun hatEar plugsSnack foods (Cereal Bars,

flapjack, nuts)CameraSwimming wearBeach towelsAnti-bacterial hand gel

ESSENTIALPassportClothingComfortable sturdy boots/shoes Formal shoesWaterproof jacketLoose, modest clothingWarm clothing for evenings Health & HygieneToiletriesInsect repellent (DEET)Towel (travel)Basic first aid kit (antiseptic spray, rehydration sachets, blister kit, plasters, pain killers)Sun blockAnti-malarialsPersonal Medication (if needed)Sunglasses·

money•The Indian Currency is called the rupee and denoted as INR.

•Rupees can only be obtained on arrival and not in advance.

•International debit cards can be used to withdraw money from ATMs. ATMs are found in cities and most large towns.

•International credit cards are accepted at a growing number of shops, restaurants and travel agents, hospitals etc.

•Cash and travelers cheques of major currencies can be bought as a back up – US Dollars, Sterling and Euros are easy to change in cities and major towns, though one should always use banks or registered exchange bureau.

•When traveling to small towns you should have a good supply of rupees.

climateDelhi: Subtropical (hot, wet summers, dry, cool, winters)

January: Winter- Days are mild and dry in North India with average temperature of 10-15 degrees and can be cold at high altitudes. Nights are cold.

SecurityFirst Day: Travel and Security Briefing at Save the Children Delhi Office

Risks•Terrorism •Civil disturbance•Natural disasters•FloodS

SECURITY• As a capital city Delhi is relatively safe for visitors.

• South and central Delhi is heavily policed and there are also numerous security guards hired by residents, both individually and as collectives.

• There are police patrol vehicles at major intersections and special English speaking tourist police at major tourist sites.

• However, visitors have been victims of serious assault in Delhi- there is always a possibility of theft or scams designed to part you from your money.

• Be vigilant and follow the personal safety advice.

• Do not walk alone in the city after dark.

• Always agree a price in advance for any transaction

• Most scams/touts are around New Delhi Railway Station and the surrounding tourist hub, Janpath and major tourist sites.

Other• India has a high degree of mobile connectivity. Local SIM • Internet is widely available in hotels and internet cafes and Save

the Children office.

• Landline telephone is also reliable. There are private STD/ISD call booths with direct local, interstate and international dialing.

FORMS

• Essential information forms• Child Safeguarding Agreement• Disclaimer• Visa• Travel Insurance