H

ealth

121

e H

o communities of Jharkhand celebrating the Baha festival of flowers

ollowing pages (122–123):

Participatory Learning and Action group meeting

p

artner with the government and networks

to scale up its interventions, as well as

invest in research.

Equity and inclusivity are built into

Ekjut’s programme design, as is reaching

underserved populations. Results of its

interventions have been published in journals,

including the

Lancet

. ‘In the Ekjut trial (2005–

08), reduction in neonatal mortality rate

(NMR) was 32 per cent in 3 years and among

the most marginalized was 71 per cent. When

ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists)

implemented the intervention, there was 31

per cent reduction in NMR and among the

most marginalized communities was 62 per

cent in 2 years,’ says Dr. Nair.

e PLA model has been piloted,

designed, tested for effectiveness and efficacy

for impact on newborn mortality, maternal

HCL Grant Project Approach:

To

address the underlying determinants of

undernutrition and reduce the incidence

of common mental disorders among

adolescents and youth

HCL Grant Project Title:

P

articipatory

Community-Led Intervention with Youth

Groups to Improve Nutrition and Mental

Wellbeing

Beneficiaries:

36,157 adolescents and

youth, 10–25 years old

Location:

100 v

illages in Jharkhand

mortality and postnatal depression. It is now

being tested on newer themes including

gender-based violence, adolescent health and

well-being, as well as non-communicable

diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and

mental health.