Jashodhara Dasgupta
The women leaders of the grassroots organization, Mahila Swasthya Adhikar Manch (MSAM in Uttar Pradesh India) conducted a neighborhood survey in 188 revenue villages of 18 blocks in 10 districts of Uttar Pradesh, to assess women’s experiences of accessing ‘free’ maternal health services in Government hospitals between Sep’11 and March’12. The non-literate women used a pictorial tool to carry out the survey.
The responses collated so far from 370 women surveyed indicate a total sum of Rs. 4,88,701 paid as out-of-pocket expenses. This is despite the government’s promise that all maternal health services would be free under the JSY and JSSK in Uttar Pradesh.
Local NGOs also shared four cases of women who had attempted institutional delivery with devastating consequences, from Chandauli, Banda, Chitrakoot and Lucknow.
In addition, a new campaign to enhance accountability for informal fees and out-of-pocket expenses for maternal health services, called Mera Swasthya Meri Awaaz campaign was presented by SAHAYOG. This is being piloted in two districts Azamgarh and Mirzapur in eastern UP (see http://meraswasthyameriaawaz.org/ ). Since its launch four months ago, the website has already received more than 200 complaints made by calls to a toll-free line and an IVRS system.
The NRHM budget for Uttar Pradesh for the period 2005- 2012 was Rs. 8,657 crores, yet it is regrettable that poor village women even now spend so much money for maternal health services which are supposed to be provided free of cost.
These findings were presented before a special panel on 28th of May 2012 on the occasion of the International Day of Action for Women’s Health. The programme was co-organized in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) by SAHAYOG, the MSAM and the Health Watch Forum Uttar Pradesh.
The chief guest on the occasion was Mr. Mukesh Meshram, Mission Director NRHM in Uttar Pradesh. Other panelists included Dr. Hari Om Dixit (GM – CP & Training, Child health –SPMU, NRHM) Mr Amod Kumar (Director MANTHAN Project UP), Ms Arundhati Dhuru (Advisor to Supreme Court Commission on the Right to Food) and Ms Sunita Aron, Editor of Hindustan Times.
The Mahila Swasthya Adhikar Manch or MSAM is a grassroots organization of over 11000 poor, rural and marginalized women spread across 10 districts of Uttar Pradesh, who have been engaged in monitoring and advocating for maternal health rights and related issues. Health Watch Forum Uttar Pradesh is a network of voluntary organizations and individuals working on reproductive health and rights issues. SAHAYOG celebrates the 28 of May every year with a gathering of MSAM women and a dialogue with government officials in Lucknow.