SOCIAL JUSTICE AND INCLUSION

“Fostering Hopes” in Remote villages of Bhagalpur through Action to Improve Public Scheme Access and Delivery (AIPAD)

Creating awareness about the Govt. Schemes and improving its uptake amongst the people is critical for the development process. It is believed that empowering people who have their stakes involved and equipping them with necessary knowledge can bring about a paradigm shift to the current scenario of program implementation. Considering these in mind Nidan in collaboration with Nand and Jeet Khemka Foundation and European Union  launched a very unique project “AIPAD” (Action to Improve Public Scheme Access and Delivery) implemented in 5 identified blocks(Kahalgaon, Pirpainti, Sanhoula, Shahkund & Jagdishpur) of Bhagalpur district in Bihar. The project aimed to ensure that all the people including poor have equitable access to govt. social schemes related to health and sanitation, education and social security with a special focus on improving delivery and accountability mechanisms.

It was  unique because it aimed at improving the access of marginalized communities to provisions and entitlements under government schemes to ensure equitable access to public schemes and services to enhance the wellbeing of citizens, especially the disadvantaged groups by using a participatory community based advocacy, monitoring and accountability models.We established  “Panchyat Suchna Kendra” which not only helped the villagers but also Mukhiya and others Public representative.

We directly facilitated social security schemes for 20 , 272 people belonging to the most hard to reach communities. Maternal health service has been facilitated. Our path breaking pilot in health technology – Swasthya Slate/Health Cube has helped in conducting ante natal tests at the door steps of women in rural Bhagalpur. The device also helps  ANM and Block Health Officers. District Administration, District Health Society of Bhagalpur, Block Development Offices and Primary Health Centers of the Blocks, Public Representative and many other Government Representatives have been our integral partners and pillars of support in this endeavor. We have also promoted more than 50 Advocacy groups in the villages to engage  with the Anganwadi, PHC, BDOs School management Committee and other Concerned Authorities,

Understanding Impact through Numbers

S.No.	Program/Scheme	Category	Total coverage
1	Pensions (old age/widow/disabled)	Social Security	20,272
2	Janani Suraksha Yojna	Health	81,767
3	Number of VHSNDs tracked	Health	7,319
4	Anti-natal check-up through Health Cube Device	Maternal Health	19,693
5	Bank Accounts opened under Jan Dhan Yojna	Bank Accounts	13,572
6	Enrollment in AWCs	Education	56,884
7	Total number of Advocacy Groups	Awareness & Outreach	52
8	Number of Masons trained	Sanitation	1,773
9	Number of ANMs trained	Health	105