Health and Hygiene Awareness by Vistar Foundation
Why Health and Hygiene Awareness Matters
In rural India, lack of awareness around basic health and hygiene practices continues to result in high incidences of preventable diseases, poor maternal and child health, and malnutrition. Limited access to medical infrastructure, social taboos around menstruation and sanitation, and lack of clean drinking water aggravate the issue. Women and children are disproportionately affected due to gender inequalities and social barriers that limit their access to timely medical intervention.
Children often miss school due to illnesses stemming from unsanitary conditions, while women silently suffer from reproductive health issues due to stigma and lack of education. According to a UNICEF report, over 60% of rural households still lack access to safe sanitation facilities, and diseases like diarrhea, skin infections, and respiratory issues are rampant. This is where health and hygiene awareness plays a pivotal role in breaking the cycle of poverty and poor health.
Problems Faced in Rural Healthcare
- Lack of access to primary healthcare services and professionals
- Inadequate sanitation and clean drinking water facilities
- Low awareness around menstrual hygiene and reproductive health
- Prevalence of myths and taboos related to personal hygiene
- High rates of malnutrition and preventable diseases among children
- Poor maternal health due to lack of antenatal care
- Financial constraints and lack of transport to reach medical facilities
How Vistar Foundation is Making a Difference
Vistar Foundation’s Health and Hygiene Awareness Program is an integrated effort that aims to improve the quality of life of rural women and children through structured awareness campaigns, education sessions, and provision of essential health services. We work in villages where access to health education and basic medical facilities is either minimal or absent, partnering with local healthcare workers, schools, and community leaders.
Key Initiatives by Vistar Foundation
- Health Camps: Organizing free health check-ups, eye camps, and screenings for women and children with follow-up care support
- Sanitation Drives: Educating communities about the importance of hand washing, toilet usage, and waste management
- Menstrual Hygiene Education: Distributing reusable sanitary pads and conducting workshops to remove stigma and educate adolescent girls and women
- Nutrition Awareness: Conducting cooking and nutrition classes to reduce malnutrition, especially among pregnant women and children
- School Health Programs: Promoting hygiene and wellness in government schools through awareness activities and provision of hygiene kits
- Mother & Child Wellness: Providing antenatal education, vaccination awareness, and parenting workshops in collaboration with ASHA workers
Building a Culture of Hygiene
Impact Snapshot: Over 8,000 women and children reached through health awareness camps, 1,500+ reusable pads distributed, and over 3,000 students educated through school wellness programs.
Partnerships & Collaborations
We partner with grassroots organizations, local governments, primary health centers, and CSR programs to amplify our reach and scale. Through collective action, we are able to deliver impactful and sustainable change in some of the most marginalized rural communities. Our health and hygiene initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat and Ayushman Bharat missions.