The Hindu Business Line : AP health project gets Rs 320-cr UK aid

Hyderabad June 14 The UK has announced an aid of Rs 320 crore for a new `access to health services' programme in Andhra Pradesh as part of a Rs 2,000-crore package for India.

The AP programme will run from 2007 to 2010. Two per cent of the women going to antenatal clinics in the State are living with HIV and AIDS — more than anywhere else in India. Childhood immunisation has fallen since 1998, from 59 per cent to 46 per cent in 2005-06. More than 25 per cent of women give birth without the support of a qualified medical professional.

Medical back-up

The funds would be used to ensure that when mothers give birth, a doctor or nurse is available to provide medical backup — giving the mothers and babies a better chance of survival. Groups with a high risk of contracting AIDS such as commercial sex workers and drug abusers will benefit from funds for expanding education programmes on safe practices.

The funds will also help improve healthcare for other socially excluded groups and minorities, according to a press release from the British High Commission.

`Superpower'

Mr Gareth Thomas, UK Minister for International Development, said: "India has gained a reputation as a major economic superpower. But we should not forget that one in three Indians survive on less than 50 pence a day. Only one in four children from India's poorest families is immunised against killer diseases compared to three in four from the richest."

The UK aid for India in 2006-07 was £266 million. This is set to rise to £300 million for 2008-09 and designed to improve healthcare, get more children into primary school and reduce poverty in India.

DFID India works at the national level as well as supporting programmes in four focus states: Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal. Talks are on to begin work in Bihar as well, the release said.

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