December 4, 2008 — The IFC-supported Child and Maternal Health project in India has been helping rural communities become aware of the benefits of adopting a healthy and hygienic lifestyle. The program recently held a health fair which offered onsite health services and drew more than 4,000 people.
Arranged for the benefit of communities in and around Barmer, health fairs and camps are often the only means of bringing basic services and education to this remote desert region of Rajasthan state. Existing clinics are either understaffed or too far to reach for the poor communities with limited means.
The fair, led by IFC, Cairn India, and implementation partner Center for Development and Population Activities, offered check-up clinics, with a special focus on maternal and child health, as well as vaccination services and eye examinations.
Dakhu Devi, from Baytu village in Rajasthan, said, "I was not able to visit the city hospital as it is too far from my village. The health fair should be organized frequently for women like us."
The event also offered entertainment, including folk songs, street theatre, games, Kalbelia dance performances, and a handicrafts exhibition to attract active participation, especially from women. In addition, local and national government departments provided information tips on managing crops better, climate conditions, and education for children and adults.
"This was the first time we witnessed such an event in Baytu area,” said Bhanwar Lal, another resident. “Health facilities were impressive and use of folk art in awareness generation programs was very nice. We are waiting for the next fair."
The Child and Maternal Health Initiative, launched in 2007, is part of a three-year linkage program in rural Rajasthan. To date, the project has reached over 8,000 people.
This program works on:
increasing awareness of healthy lifestyles
providing girls and boys with vocational training
providing community health workers with additional support and training
helping local government councils, Panchayats, to promote healthy lifestyle programs
In addition to the health project, the IFC and Cairn India program includes an Enterprise Centre to help develop local small and medium enterprises and provide vocational training, as well as a rural dairy project that gives families alternative sources of income.
Contributed by Minakshi Seth, South Asia/Communications Practice Group 
