ISHA's ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS:
RESEARCH AND TRAINING

    ISHA is a national level organization engaged in research, training, capacity building, awareness building, and educational/training material preparation. It works with the Central and State Governments, Central Public Sector Organizations, International Organizations, and NGOs working in the community.

      Brief resume of work done by ISHA in the last few years is as follows:

I.       Research Studies/Interventional Projects

a)      1992 – Study on Nutritional Status of women and Children covering two districts of Raichur and Gulbarga for Department of Women and Child Welfare, Karnataka State.

      Funded by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India – Rs. 2.35 lakhs. Infrastructure Assistance by the Karnataka State.

      The study presented the nutritional patterns, morbidity and mortality in women and children in two backward districts. Based on the study, Dept of Women and Child Welfare initiated several measures to improve the health status and upgrade health services.

b)       1992 – 1994 – Strengthening PVOHs – Private Voluntary Organizations in Health Care – 52 projects (39 PVOH-I and 13 PVOH-II) Funded by USAID – Government of India – Rs. 27.99 lakhs.

      The objective was to

a)  improve collaboration between the private voluntary organizations and GOI/State Governments;
b)   to help develop sustainably and decrease dependency on donor and governmental funding;
c)   to promote achievements of voluntary organization

    Towards the above the following interventional projects were initiated.

a)   Assessment of Roles, resources and impact survey
b)   Assessment of Training needs
c)   Conducted four training programmes of one week each on project management and self-reliance
d)   Arranged visits to other NGO projects for project sharing experiences
e)   Helped develop publicity materials - brochures
f)   Prepared a 50 mts documentary
g)   Organized a national meeting on Role Effectiveness of NGOs in which over 300 participants attended
h)   Helped develop self-reliance schemes.

    Based on these activities, GOI – USAID decided to give future financial assistance.

c)  1994 – Helped develop proposals for IPP-V assistance to Bombay and Madras Urban Health Projects

    Funded by Ministry of Health, Department of Family Welfare – Rs. 2.65 lakhs.

    Based on these proposals the urban health and family welfare projects were initiated in India with World Bank Assistance.

d)   1994 – Helped the Ministry of Health in preparation of a document – on Health and Development to serve as a background document for the Eighth and Ninth Five Year Plans.

    Funded by WHO – Rs. 2.35 lakhs.

e)  1994-1995 – Assisted the Ministry of Health and Planning Commission in conducting a study on Present Stock of Health Manpower and Projected Requirements by 2020. The states covered included Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Pondicherry. Phase-I.

      Funded by WHO – Rs. 10.07 lakhs.

     Based on the study policy decisions were to be made with regard to establishment of additional educational institutions for medicine, nursing, dental, pharmacy, and lab technicians.

 f)  1994-95 – Preparation of Project Proposals for Strengthening Health and Family Welfare Services in North Eastern States.

      Funded by North-Eastern Council – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – Rs. 3.75 lakhs.

      Towards socio-economic development and specifically health of women and children, proposals for World Bank funding were prepared. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, and Nagaland.

     Based on these proposals, GOI initiated several projects to strengthen health services in NE States.

g)   1994-2002 – Study on Health of the Youth in Bangalore Slums

       Funded by Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, Bangalore Municipal Corporation in Collaboration with Bangalore Medical College for assessment of HIV-AIDS.

       200 slums identified. 6000+ youth male and females were identified. Medical and Health checkup to asses morbidity patterns: Blood sugar, cholesterol, BP, HIV-AIDS, UTIs, STD and allied health problems were assessed.

      With help of the police, commercial sex workers were identified and given health checkups.

     Those found HIV+, names were given to the Corporation Health Officers.

      Health Awareness Workshops on Healthy Life Style – four hours sessions are being regularly conducted.

     Over 20,000 youth have been covered.

      Post-survey shows considerable changes in behaviours.

h)    1994-95 – Study of Organizational, Management and Community Factors Involved in Resurgence of Malaria and Effective Implementation of Malaria Eradication Programme in Karnataka State

      Funded by: Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi – Rs. 3.25 lakhs

      Eight districts from Karnataka and two from Maharashtra were compared High and Low Performing. Report submitted to State Government and National Malaria Eradication Programme. Steps were initiated for effective monitoring and control.

i)     1995-96 – Midterm Evaluation of Model Family Welfare Schemes of NGOs assisted by Government of India under Family Welfare Promotion Schemes

       Funded by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – Total Funds – Rs. 4.5 lakhs

       Nearly 200 projects in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan evaluated. Based on the report. GOI had to decide about continuity of assistance or not. Also, the information helped in financing future NGOs.

j)     1995- 96 – Immunization Coverage Evaluation Surveys in Five Districts of Karnataka State – Belgaum, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur, and Raichur Districts

      Funded by UNICEF – Rs. 1.2 lakhs

      The study helped evaluate the Immunization coverage to revise the strategies. Also, impact of coverage and community participation.

k)    1996-2001 – Study on Strengthening the District, Taluq and Teaching Institutions, Kerala State

       Funded by Kerala State Health Department – Rs. 4.65 lakhs

       220 district, taluq , and private hospitals in each district, and teaching institutions were personally visited and studied to assess the hospital morbidity – mortality, manpower, equipment, buildings, budgets, sanitation, manpower and drugs availability.

       Recommendations were made for infrastructure improvements for strengthening health services for women and children, accident, trauma, and emergency services.

       The State has initiated several measures for improvement. Also submitted proposals to GOI for foreign funding.

l)    1996-97 – Study of the Effectiveness of Schemes of Widow Pension and Maternity Allowance in Karnataka State

       Funded by: Department of Women and Child Development, Karnataka State Rs. 2.36 lakhs.
 The study was designed to assess whether the women were receiving the Pension and maternity allowance. What was the impact of maternity allowance and pension scheme on the health of the mothers and poverty alleviation of widows as well as quality of life.

       The State initiated several measures for improvement of the schemes based on the report.

m)   1995-1999 – Study on Health Education and Awareness

      Funded by: Dept of Science and Technology, New Delhi – Rs. 1.35 lakhs, NACO – Karnataka Government – Rs. 2.00 lakhs

      Health Education programmes for – 60,000 colleage and school students. All government schools and colleges.

     14,000 – Drivers, Mechanics, and operators of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation.

   3000 staff of nearly 50 voluntary organization in the State.

    The health education package included:

     Nutrition, personal hygiene, sexual behaviours, smoking, drinking, HIV-AIDS literature is distributed and films shown in addition to our staff giving talks.

     The results of the survey have shown considerable change in behaviour.

n)   1997 – Study on X-Ray installations, Effect of Radiation Hazards, and Possible Role of X-Ray Exposure in causation of childhood cancers, congenital abnormalities, and metnal retardation.

    Funded by: Environmental Fund for NGOs – Rs. 2.5 lakhs

    The study covered 200 + nursing homes, hospitals, diagnostic labs in public and private sector to assess whether the x-ray facilities were according to the BARC standards and the preventive measures taken; the effects of the radiation hazards on the staff and the community.

o)  1998-2001 – Study on Clinical Waste Management Systems in government and private hospitals throughout the State.

     Funded by Karnataka State, Karnataka Health Systems Development Project – Rs. 3.2 lakhs

    Visited 21 district hospitals, 12 state level health institutions, and 83 private hospitals throughout the State.

     Based on the Study several initiatives have been taken.

p)   1998-99 – Study on Blood Banks in Karnataka State and Strategies for Voluntary Blood Donor Motivation

     Funded by Department of Science and Technology – Rs. 1.35 lakhs

     This study investigated the availability of blood banks in the public and private sector; the areas not covered; the sources of blood; testing and quality of blood; testing for HIV, malpractice and exploitation : bleeding, testing and pricing of blood.

    Interviewed voluntary 600 donors and 600 non-donors to assess the motivation of non-donors. Proposed strategies for voluntary blood donor motivation. It is observed that if 1/9 persons donates the blood, we would have adequate blood for our requirements and can export blood to write off the loans to externally funding organizations.

q)    2002-2003 – Study on Public-Private Partnership in Health Care

    Funded by International Health Summit, USA = Rs. Eight lakhs
                                                                ISHA = Rs. four lakhs

   To organize an international conference – November, 2002

   All India Survey on projects of partnership in primary, secondary, and tertiary health care – in curative, preventive, promotive health care. This survey and series of workshops should help us prepare a document which will help the Central and State Governments in planning and implementing systems of health care to promote health services in India.

r)    2002-2003 – Study on Impact of Externally Financially Assisted Projects in Health and Family Welfare- Karnataka State

    Funded by ISHA – 3 lakhs

     In the last 52 years India has been receiving technical assistance from Western Countries. In the last three decades a number of projects in the health and family welfare field are financed by external agencies. This study is designed to assess the impact of externally assisted projects. The results of this study will help in seeking external assistance and utilizing the assistance effectively. It will have long term socio-political, and economic consequences.

s)  2002-2003 – Health of the Elderly Men and Women 60+ in four districts of Karnataka State

    Funded:     ISHA – Four lakhs

    This study is designed to assess the morbidity and mortality patterns in the elderly in socio-economic forward districts as compared to backward districts. Mandya, Mysore – forward districts and Bellary, Raichur – backward districts.

    The study will show the relationship between socio-economic level and health factors in longevity, morbidity, mortality, stress related disorders.

t)   2002-2004 – Study on Health of Women in India

      Funded by ISHA – three lakhs

    This is an all India study based on secondary sources data. It would cover all states, urban rural, educated – uneducated. The study would examine the following variables:

   -      Rights of Women – Legal Rights
   -      Mortality and Morbidity patterns
   -       Education and Career
   -       STD, HIV, RTI
    -      Health of Working Women
   -      Women as Commodities
    -     Fertility and Family Planning
    -      Reproductive health matters
    -      Nutrition status of women
    -     Mental health of women
    -      Women's Empowerment in India

      This study will help in formulating more effective policies and programmes for health of the high risk groups – women and children in India. It will particularly focus on the group of women most vulnerable in India so that initiatives could be taken by various agencies to reach out.

II.   CAPACITY BUILDING/TRAINING PROGRAMMES

     ISHA's primary role in the last 24 years has been in capacity building. Todate ISHA has conducted over 1200 training programmes at national, state, and institutional levels and trained over 120,000 professionals and administrators.

a)  Training Programmes for CGHS Medical Officers.
     Todate, ISHA has conducted 36 programmes for CGHS Medical Officers on various subjects including implementation of National Family Welfare Programme.

    Funded by Ministry of Health, New Delhi

b)     Two training programmes for District Level Medical Officers to discuss Family Welfare Programmes Implementation and Health of Mothers and Children.

    Funded by WHO/Ministry of Health

c)    Four workshops for voluntary organizations in effective implementation of Family Welfare/RCH Programmes. Strategies for becoming effective in implementation of the programmes.

     Funded by USAID

d)   Twenty programmes for voluntary organization in strengthening NGOs in effective implementation of family welfare and public health programmes including tribal health.

     Funding: Self financing -- fee for Seminar fee

e)   Thirty workshops on HIV-AIDS at national, state, and institutional levels. Specially HIV-AIDS in women and children.

     Funding: Self-financing: Fee for workshops

f)    Regional workshop on Family Welfare for government officers and NGOs from Southern states

        Funded: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

The attached note gives details of ISHA's Role in Capacity Development /Competency Building Training.

III. EXPERIENCES IN TB AND PUBLIC HEALTH

       We have brought out Issues of our Journal: Health Administrator devoted to Leprosy Management in India; Communicable Diseases; Non-Communicable Diseases; TB Management in India; Stress Related Disorders; Issues devoted to Cancer Management are in preparation.

       Organized National Conferences on Health of Villages and Urban Slums; Health of the High-Risk Groups; TB Management in India; Health Policy and National Health Programmes.