India: Healthcare and Education
Population: 1.339 billion
India is a fast-growing economy, however government expenditure on health is only around 1% of GDP and India faces wide health inequality within and among states. This has resulted in inadequate financial protection in health and high out of pocket costs, in fact, more than 62% of spending on health by Indians represents OOP and around 60 million people are pushed into poverty due to OOP. The country also faces relatively low health outcomes with high burden of communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, TB and a high risk of premature death. In addition, weak public health systems, poor health monitoring and a lack of infection control further exacerbate the problem.
- There are an estimated 1.34 doctor per 1,000 population and 21 nurses and midwives per 10,000 population.
- Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live birth): 29.9
- Under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 36.6
*Estimates Developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division)
Our Impact
Since 2011, USFC has been focused on improving the education, protection and health of vulnerable children in Jaipur through our five day-centers. These centers work on a half-day schedule, before or after school to provide a safe place where students can benefit from tutoring and participate in recreational activities.
In 2018:
- We welcomed more than 1,700 children for lessons and activities
- Organized training workshops in sewing, arts, craftsmanship for over 600 mothers
- Carried out 26,000 basic health consultations and 7,000 psycho-social consultations through our mobile clinic
Our Activities
In partnership with the local NGO Taabar, USFC offers free basic healthcare and psycho-social consultations to children with a specific focus on education and training for girls. In our Day Centers, we offer lessons in Hindi, English and mathematics, and encourage participation in activities that build confidence and self-reliance, such as dance, theatre, and children’s parliament. We celebrate events including Diwali, Holi, Children’s Day and Independence Day in order to provide children with a better understanding of the unique perspectives that make up Indian culture. We have also taken part in street theater and parades as a means of community engagement, to build awareness on health, security and education questions. USFC distributes school necessities such as uniforms and shoes as well as hygiene kits, meals and drinking water. Through our mobile health clinics, we also provide basic healthcare and psycho-social consultations for children and the greater community.
