Urban Health Programme in Chhattisgarh State: Evolution, Progress and Challenges

A Baseline Study was conducted in 11 cities in early 2012 by the State Health Resource Centre. The survey focused on understanding utilization of maternal and child health services by urban slum population. The baseline survey showed that in comparison to rural areas, urban slums were doing better in terms of literacy rates, access to toilets, ARIs amongst children, malaria and child malnutrition. However, the urban slums were worse off in terms of immunisation, breastfeeding, diarrhoea and utilisation of family planning services. More pregnant women from urban slums were having ANC check-ups and institutional deliveries, though mostly in the private sector. One-third urban slum households had National Health Insurance Scheme (RSBY) cards, however, 60% of them incurred high out of pocket expenditure.