Siddharth Agarwal, Dr, Mukesh Bhachawat, Arti Bhanot, Mani Gupta, Prabhat Jha, Praveen Jha, Sandeep Kumar, and Karishma Srivastava. USAID/EHP India, F9/4 Poorvi Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, 110057, India, 0091 11 26149771, siddharth@ehpindia.org

The paper focuses on partnership models at the community and administrative level for improving key child health indicators in slums of a mid-sized Indian city- Indore; the consultative planning process; and lessons learned.

The program aims at enhancing access and utilization of health services through organization of community into functional groups and networking with multiple stakeholders to improve co-ordination, avoid duplication of services, and target the most needy. A situation analysis and a series of workshops with primary and secondary stakeholders were held to plan and initiate the program.

Results: The vulnerable populations were identified and geographically mapped; 157 slums were identified vulnerable from 539 slums in Indore. It was noted that increased utilization of existing health service delivery channels could be achieved by involving grassroots organizations. Complementarity of skills, knowledge, experience and reach among NGOs and CBOs guided the evolution of NGO-CBO partnership. Simultaneously, a ward coordination model evolved owing to availability of resources from various stakeholders and their willingness to work together at the ward level for improving service coverage and quality. During one year of programming, capacity at community level has been enhanced through formation and strengthening of CBOs who support service coverage and behavior change activities and promote optimum utilization of services. Linkages have evolved with government and private sector to effectively utilize resources.

Lessons: Strengthened slum based CBOs serve as social capital for underserved families and can generate demand and improve access to services. Promotion of workable linkages between service providers and CBOs is critical for fulfilling the community’s increased demands.

Learning Objectives:

• The audience will articulate the steps of the open-minded, flexible and consultative methodology that leads to the evolution of a context appropriate program responsive to community needs.

Keywords: Partnerships, Underserved

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.