A significant stride in public healthcare standards has been marked in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj division, with a remarkable 272 health units receiving the prestigious Kayakalp Award for the 2024-25 session. This government initiative recognizes excellence in cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control within healthcare facilities.
District-Wise Breakdown of Awardees
The awards were distributed across the four districts of the division, with Fatehpur emerging as the top performer. Fatehpur secured the highest number of awards at 86, closely followed by Pratapgarh with 76 awards. Prayagraj district itself received 75 awards, while Kaushambi was honoured with 35 awards. This distribution highlights a widespread commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure across the region.
The awarded facilities represent a comprehensive cross-section of the public health system. The list includes 202 Arogya Ayushman Mandirs, 10 district hospitals, 40 Community Health Centres (CHCs), 18 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and 7 urban PHCs. This wide net ensures that the drive for cleanliness and better service reaches from major hospitals to local health centres.
Evaluation Criteria and Financial Incentives
The selection process for the Kayakalp Award was rigorous, based on a multi-parameter assessment. Health units were evaluated on their physical condition, maintenance of facilities, premises cleanliness, waste management protocols, infection control measures, and staff behaviour management. This holistic review ensures that awards are given for overall operational excellence.
Dr Harit Saxena, the Divisional Project Manager of the National Health Mission, provided key insights into the year-on-year progress. He confirmed that the division had improved its tally from 263 awards in the 2023-24 session to 272 awards in 2024-25, marking an addition of nine more health units to the honours list. The award comes with a substantial financial incentive aimed at further improvement.
A total sum of Rs 1.33 crore has been allocated for the awardees. As per the scheme's guidelines, 75% of this fund is mandated to be used for enhancing healthcare services and infrastructure within the facilities. The remaining 25% is designated to encourage and reward the staff whose efforts made the achievement possible, creating a cycle of motivation and improvement.
Linking to National Cleanliness Goals
The Kayakalp Award scheme is a direct extension of the nationwide Swachh Bharat Mission, applying its core principles to the critical domain of public health. By incentivizing hygiene and infection control, the government aims to build public trust in government health facilities and improve patient outcomes. The consistent increase in awardees in the Prayagraj division—from 263 to 272—suggests a growing institutional focus on these essential parameters.
The success across Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, and Pratapgarh districts sets a benchmark for other divisions. It demonstrates that with clear evaluation standards and recognition, significant improvements in public health facility management are achievable. The scheme continues to play a vital role in transforming the landscape of public healthcare in India by making cleanliness and hygiene a central priority.
