Remarks
by
CONSUL GENERAL HENRY V. JARDINE
at
the Foundation Day Event of
Rehabilitation Center for Children
April 24, 2008

April 24, 2008

Kolkata -- Mr. Kshiti Goswami, Honorable Minister, Public Works Department, Mr. A.B. Choudhury, President, Mr. S.K. Dey, Secretary, Mr. K.K. Mitra, Vice President Mr. P.K. Mallik, Vice President, Mr. P.K. Das, Treasurer, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to be here today to mark the 35th foundation day of the Rehabilitation Center for Children.  The Center, I am told, began its journey this day way back in 1973.   It is also a day for us to remember the late Jane Pamela Webb who came all the way from England to start the Center.

The Center Pamela Webb set up has provided care and comprehensive rehabilitation to the orthopedically handicapped children who came from poor families.   In doing so, the Center has helped children overcome their physical and economic disabilities. Apart from providing surgical facilities, physiotherapy and mobility aid, the Rehabilitation Center extends education, pre-vocational training as well as psycho-social rehabilitation.

Concern for children is universal and is a priority for us at the U.S. Consulate, Kolkata.  We work closely with our local partners like NGOs and government organizations on issues that concern children such as nutrition, immunization and education. 

India is planning to grow at a rapid 9 percent rate and has made significant progress in improving the health of its population, especially that of children.   For more than 50 years, the USAID has worked with the Government of India and other partners in achieving India’s child health and development objectives.

The USAID micronutrient program started in 2006 aims to reduce anemia among India’s children.  Under the program, children between nine months and three years will be provided Vitamin A supplement in Jharkhand and Eastern U.P.  Diarrhea is another ailment impacting children and we are looking into the possibility of providing zinc supplements for treating children suffering from the disease.  This program will be implemented jointly with partners from public and private sector entities.

Our BASICS-III Project supports child survival programming at district, national and global levels.  In India, the project extends technical assistance for community based newborn care, strengthens state and federal government’s routine immunization program and ensures essential nutrition to prevent malnutrition among children. 

The ongoing Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance (FANTA) project of USAID supports food security and nutrition to improve the health and well being of women and children.  Polio eradication is an important area where the U.S. Consulate is actively involved.  Consulate employees participate in pulse polio immunization programs.  We facilitate polio working group meetings where experts discuss strategies to stop this disease.  The USAID also participates in India’s National Polio Surveillance Project and Integrated Disease Surveillance Projects.

But our involvement goes beyond health and medical issues for children.  The Consulate supports organizations working with rag-pickers and street children to extend education and rehabilitation facilities.  We continue to partner NGOs in Kolkata and Eastern India to provide support and shelter to children of sex workers and victims of human and child trafficking.

We are aware that India is a young country.  But we firmly believe that India’s young population must also be healthy and able.   I congratulate the Rehabilitation Center for Children for the wonderful and important work they are doing.  I am told that Government of West Bengal honored the Rehabilitation Center as the Best NGO in 2002.  I am confident that the Center will keep up the good work.

Thank you.