The Azad India Foundation held a "baby show" today in a remote village in the Indian province of Kishanganj.Three children were given prizes based on their immunization records, health checkup results, and overall appearance. Altogether, 47 children with their mothers participated in the program. The Azad India Foundation organized the event with the hopes of spreading awareness on the benefits of immunization.
Stereotypes and general ill-will remain high among the residents of the predominantly Muslim province about non-traditional health practices. Each year, numerous cases of measles go unreported in the region, and child immunization rate continues to be dismally low and health services virtually defunct.