About Project  |  Target Area  | Objective  |  Programe Strategy  | Task of MNGO

Background

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has recognized Pravara Medical Trust (PMT), Loni as a Mother NGO for implementing its World Bank assisted Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Scheme in Maharashtra in 1998. The Project has been sanctioned to PMT in recognition of its 25 years service to the rural population through innovative, need based community health & development projects.

The constituent institutions run by the trust include

1. a 700 bedded post-graduate level referral teaching hospital & medical college, with state of art departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Neonatology, Pediatric Cardiology, Skin & STD and Community Medicine,
2. a Postgraduate level Dental Hospital & College,
3. a graduate college of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Center
4. a graduate and a diploma college of Nursing and
5. a Cancer Treatment and Research Center
6. a Pediatric Cardiac Center & an Advanced Neo-natal Center

The community based major innovative projects implemented by PMT for the last 10 years in the field of Reproductive and Child Health have given adequate experience and expertise, which include

1. "Computer-based Primary Health Care Information System with special emphasis on Maternal and Child Health," in collaboration with Department of Medical Informatics, Linkoping University, Sweden and supported by World Health Organization, Geneva - 1989-90.
2. Training of ICDS Functionaries (Supervisors and Anganwadi Workers) of Maharashtra and Goa, in collaboration with Pravara Institute of Research and Education in Natural and Social Sciences (PIRENS), Loni.
   
   
3. Comprehensive Maternal and Child Health Project (PVOH-II scheme) entitled "An Integrated Approach for Reduction of Morbidity, Mortality and Fertility through Health Education, Training and Primary Health Care in 100 villages of Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra" with the support of Government of India and USAID from 1991 to 1996. The project is being continued till today with PMTs support.
4. "Hospital-cum-Community based Maternal Mortality - a multi-centric Study" in collaboration with KEM Hospital Research Center, Pune and funded by World Health Organization, in 1995-96.
5. "A Study of Induced Abortions with reference to Decision Making, Provider Choice and Subsequent morbidities in Rural Maharashtra" - a collaborative Project with KEM Hospital Research Center, Pune and funded by Ford Foundation, New Delhi, in 1996-97.
6. "A Study of Health and Immunization Profile of Migratory Sugarcane Harvest Workers of Ahmednagar district", funded by PMT, Loni in 1996-98.

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About the Project

The Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Program being implemented by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) through Mother NGOs, supports various interventions aimed at enabling clients to receive councelling and education for responsible and health sexual behaviour, make informed choices, access user-friendly services for preventing unwanted pregnancy and safe abortion, maternity care, child survival and management of reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases.

One major thrust of the RCH Program during the ninth plan will be to increase NGO involvement through participation in innovative projects. NGOs have the advantage of flexibility in procedures, rapport and credibility with local communities. They are therefore often placed to try innovations than the government system. Recognizing that small grassroots level NGOs has limited technical and managerial capacity provision is being made for larger NGOs to serve as mother NGOs to mentor smaller NGOs and provide support for their capacity building.

Pravara Medical Trust, Loni is one of the four Mother NGOs recognized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India for implementing its rural RCH Program in Maharashtra.

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Target Area

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India has alloted Aurangabad, Beed and Jalna districts of Maharashtra to Pravara Medical Trust, Loni to implement its RCH Program. The Target area falls under the Marathawada region of Maharashtra, which is known for its extreme drought and low socio-economic profile. The total inhabitant population of the three districts was over 5.4 million in 1991. Majority of the population belongs to scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and other backward communities. They migrate every year, along with women and children to greener pastures as sugarcane harvest labour.

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Objectives of Mother NGO-RCH Scheme

To increase the participation of Non-governmental organizations (NGO) at the community level in improving the Reproductive and Child Health by:

1. Identifying and mobilizing small NGOs in the alloted districts to implement innovative projects for specific disadvantaged population.
2. Coordinating prompt project approvals, timely financing and monitoring & evaluation of funded projects.
3. Provide technical and managerial support to Field NGOs for development and implementation & management of approved innovative projects.

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Programe Strategy

1. Community participants in planning for services and prioritizing
2. Client-centered approach to services provision
3. Upgraded facilities and improved training
4. Emphasis on quality of care
5. Absence of contraceptive targets and incentives
6. Making services gender sensitive
7. Multi- sectoral approach in implementing and monitoring services.

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Task of Mother NGO in Programe Management

1. Facilitating capacity building of Field NGOs
2. Enhance FNGOs capacity for financial and administrative management
3. Enhance FNGOs capacity for effective program monitoring and evaluation
4. Documentation and dissemination of best practices