PHRN seeks to identify like-minded, motivated individuals and organisations through existing state level resource support agencies, NGO networks and state health societies, and reach out to them in order to accelerate and consolidate the potential gains from the NRHM that can truly change the health scenario of disadvantaged people. PHRN has been active since 2005 in the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Orissa. It has also supported similar action in many other states, such as Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand and the North Eastern states. PHRN has refined its objectives and strategies in accordance with its experience as well as circumstances of its work. Vision
“We believe that appropriate, and responsive public health services are imperative for the health and well-being of our population. Good and ethical public health practice stems from meaningful and well-rounded public health capacities. We are constantly seeking new knowledge and perspective, as much as questioning the existing ones. We seek to deeply engage with public health practitioners on the frontline of action and the community and seek to facilitate and enable them with core knowledge and competencies that will translate into game-changing practice”. Objectives
Reaching out to dedicated individuals and organizations for whom health equity is a major concern, and providing them access to essential information and opportunities to contribute to this goal. Sharing public health technical resources with existing and potential district health programme managers towards strengthening the public health system in their districts. Assisting in the emergence of state and district level resource groups for this purpose. Empowering civil society to create spaces, and utilizing the spaces being created under the NRHM, for improving and increasing public participation in health planning and management. Promoting decentralisation and horizontal integration at district, block and gram panchayat levels by contributing to capacity building at these levels on technical, programmatic, epidemiological and social understandings of health. Strengthening the resource base needed for informed advocacy within the government and within civil society. Facilitating networking and mutual support among public health practitioners. Its core strategies consist of
Conducting a PHRN certificate learning programme for public health practitioners both within and outside of government. Supporting Fast Track Capacity Building Programme on district health planning and management for public health sector employees. Conducting Fellowship Programme to induct and groom interested persons into working towards public health goals. Participating in a Post Graduate Diploma in District Health Management in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Open University and conducting in the four states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Orissa. Strengthening community processes in NRHM
Support to the ASHA programme
Facilitating effective VHSC functioning and village health planning
Facilitating public participation in health management through bodies like Rogi Kalyan Samiti
Capacity building and support to PRIs’ involvement
Assisting community monitoring processes to improve facilities and services
Making district planning more equitable and effective by
Research inputs
Independent appraisals and evaluations
Assisting access to information and technical resources
Organising peer reviews
Demonstrating quality district health plans through intensive work in 3-4 districts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa. Promoting networking and the emergence of district and state level groups and teams with a high degree of motivation and skill. Holding conventions, seminars, study groups and meetings to facilitate this process.
