Calcutta Rescue is working with the Government of India Reproductive Child Health (RCH) programme under the Field Non Government Organisation - Mother Non Government Organisation (FNGO-MNGO) scheme in the South-West of Kolkata (Ward 82).

India’s National Rural Health Mission was launched in April 2005 to reduce maternal and infant mortality and provide universal access to public health services. This began with the Reproductive and Child Health Programme (RCH-1), with the second phase, (RCH-II), is an integral and important component of this mission. The World Bank is providing US$360 million for the RCH-II Project, building on lessons learnt in the project's first phase.

CR was approved as a partner by the government in June 2006 and, following an orientation training programme, began work. CR project area Ward 82 has a very high population density, mainly of poor socio economic status with an extremely poor literacy rate, and poor health and hygiene conditions. Ante-Natal care of pregnant women is well below standard, child immunisation is unsatisfactory and awareness on other health issues limited.

CR's team of health workers addresses these issues to try to improve the quality of life for this marginalized population. Our educational and practical approach involves peer education, addressing adolescent problems, family planning, immunisation, childcare, natal care, neonatal care, breastfeeding, nutrition, and free condoms.