Health


Maternal and Child Health Community

 

Community Update

No. 3:  16 May 2006

 

In this Issue

 

From the Moderator  |  Network Activity  |  Member PostingsCommunity News

 

From the Moderator

 

Dear Friends

 

My heartiest congratulations to all for completing a very successful year. It’s a great feeling to see it, what started with a good idea, actually taking shape. I say clearer, because we have just started and in this second year we will set ourselves more tangible targets, and keep on improving our services.

 

One aim is of course to successfully complete the e-discussion, which I am very happy to see finally getting underway. This will help us not only to express our views to the policy level, but will also help us to judge our own effectiveness, and indicate the room for improvement as a group. Later this month, our coordination team (Monica & Steve) will get in touch with you, personally, seeking feedback and suggestions for the future; which will help us to build this network the way you want it to be.

 

For the new comers, since the 2nd update, I extend a warm welcome on behalf of our members, hope you enjoy your time with us, and also help us learn, together.

 

Please remember, we will continue with the Query Response even while the e-discussion is on. Please feel free to contact me for any clarification that you may need, and of course keep sending the burning questions that you want the rest of this group to help you with.

 

From now on, we will publish the Community Update once a month, for a quick recap of the previous month’s activities, information you want to share with the rest, like job vacancies, news, recommended readings etc. You can expect the next update, around 10th of June. I will pass a notice, a week earlier, to remind you for your postings in the update.

 

Best Wishes.

 

meghendra

 

Meghendra Banerjee

Resource Person & Moderator, Health Communities

Solution Exchange

http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in

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Membership & other Community Statistics

 

It gives me great pleasure to tell you that we are over 800 now. In the last one year (April 2005 to March 2006) we have grown from 132 to 755 (almost 600 percent), with an average growth of 12 members per week. We now have members from 27 states and union territories. This is a remarkable achievement for a new group, and the credit goes to you. The regional & organisational balance has also improved substantially. Of course we have to work on it, especially to get our friends from the North Eastern States; in fact we are trying to organise a multistakeholder workshop in June 2006, your help and suggestions are needed.

 

I would like to thank profusely all of you, who have contributed through queries and responses. In this period we have posted 25 queries from you (at an average of 2 queries per month) and 24 Consolidate Replies, with, on an average, 14 responses per query, ranging from 3 to 39 depending on the query. Queries have been cross posted with other Solution Exchange Communities like Gender, Food, AIDS, Decentralisation, for wider perspectives. 

 

Participation rate has increased from 16 to almost 20 percent, during the period, considering the fact that we have grown by almost 600 percent this is a significant achievement. One small hitch is the turnaround time, which is around 18 days from the day of posting a query. We are desperately trying to improve it, with some help from you it can be reduced further. After all, we want to remain current and useful.

 

The statistics supports the fact that we have covered a broad range of issues, and people have participated from various regions and organisation affiliations.

 

Some of the participation facts are given below:

 

Query Distribution along broad issues within MCH, April 2005 to March 2006, Total Queries 25.

 

Issues

%

Safe Motherhood

24

Child Health

8

Adolescent Health

8

Nutrition

32

Health Systems & Other Topics

28

 

Regional Distribution of Queries & Responses, in MCH Community, April 2005 to March 2006, Total Queries 25 & Total Responses 371.

 

Region

Queries

Responses

%

%

North

12

18

East

16

18

South

12

9

West

8

13

Delhi

48

36

Outside India

4

14

 

Organisational Distribution of Queries & Responses in MCH Community, April 2005 to March 2006, Total Queries 25 & Total Responses 371.

 

Organisation Type

Queries

Responses

%

%

Govt.

16

12

Academic / Research

28

26

UN & Other Multi & Bilateral

16

23

NGO

40

39

 

We are very happy to introduce the community’s member list, operational from May 3, 2006, so that we know who we share this space with!

 

Member Database is now open, you can visit http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in to access it. You will need to log in with your email and password, to see the details.

 

Community News

 

Vacancy

 

MCH Community is looking for a Research Associate. Application deadline 31st May 2006. Please visit http://www.undp.org.in/JOBS/ for more information and other vacancies in Solution Exchange. 

 

Upcoming

 

Regional Workshop in North East next month, you may want to help by referring practitioners from the North Eastern States & Sikkim to MCH Community.
 
E-discussion Second Topic: How can we improve effectiveness of the various field functionaries delivering MCH services?
 
Ongoing

 

First E-discussion in progress

 

How can we empower families and communities to better utilize MCH services?

 

For details go to http://www.solutionexchange-

un.net.in/mch/e-discuss/  

 

From other Solution Exchange Communities

 

Coming Up

 

Poverty: Work and Employment Community- Visioning Workshop, 30-31 May 2006; contact Sumeeta Banerji for details

 

http://www.solutionexchange-

un.net.in/emp

 

Recently Held

 

Decentralization Community – Visioning Workshop, New Delhi; 7-8, April 2006. Please visit the workshop page for details, reports and presentations.

 

http://www.solutionexchange-

un.net.in/decn

 

From our Partners

 

WHO

 

World Health Report 2006 – Working Together for Health

 

http://www.who.int/whr/2006/

en/index.html

 

WHO - IBP

 

Invitation for On-line global discussion forum on "Client and Provider Perspectives on Integration of Family Planning Counselling and HIV/AIDS Services," Online Forum: May 1 – 26, 2006; to participate in this online discussion forum being organised by the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research and partners from the Implementing Best Practices Initiative, send a mail to info at bpinitiative.org with “FP/HIV Integration Forum” in the subject line.

 

WHO releases new child growth standards,

The International child growth standards released by WHO show that every child in the world has the potential to develop to within the same range of height and weight. The standards show that from birth to five years of age, nutrition, environment and health care are stronger factors in determining growth and development than gender or ethnic background.

Read more 

________________________________________________________________

 

Member Postings

 

Upcoming Events

 

From Sumeeta Banerjee, UNDP, New Delhi

 

Global Course - Achieving the Millennium Development Goals: Poverty Reduction, Reproductive Health and Health Sector Reform, Applications are being invited by the World Bank Institute for the Global Course on Reproductive Health to be held in Bangkok from 14-25 August, 2006. Application deadline is 15 June 2006. More Information at http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/reprohealth.

 

From Arun Gupta, BPNI, Delhi

 

World Breastfeeding Week 2006, theme the IMS Act – Making it Known to People, BPNI, 2006 more at http://www.bpni.org/cgi/wbw.asp

 

From Jaideep Malhotra, Agra

 

4th World Congress of Perinatal Medicines for Developing Countries, Sept 29 – October 1, 2006, Agra; more at http://www.wcpmdc2006.in/

 

From Umesh Kapil, AIIMS, New Delhi

 

National Workshop on “Development of a Community Based Package of Interventions for Prevention of Under Nutrition Amongst Children Below Two Years of Age, March 2007, New Delhi. For More Info Contact - Prof Umesh Kapil, Organizing Secretary, AIIMS, New Delhi,110029, email: umeshkapil at yahoo.com

 

Resource Corner

 

From Arun Gupta, BPNI, Delhi

 

Delayed Breastfeeding Initiation Increases Risk of Neonatal Mortality, by Karen M. Edmond, Charles Zandoh, Maria A. Quigley, Seeba Amenga-Etego, Seth Owusu-Agyei and Betty R. Kirkwood, Pediatrics 2006;117;380-386

http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/117/3/e380

The study tries to assess the contribution of timing of initiation of breast feeding to any impact on neonatal health.

 

Breastfeeding in the first hour of life could save almost one million babies’ lives each year, DFID Press Release. March 2006.

http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/health/newsupdate/res-03-100506-01.pdf (PDF: 45 KB)

This Press Release talks about the benefits of breast feeding in the current global context

 

From Ashok Paikaray, Orissa

 

Out of Focus, by T.K. Rajalakshami in Frontline 2006; Vol 23 Issue 6, available at http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2306/stories/20060407001809300.htm  

A critical appraisal of the objectives and accomplishments of the National Rural Health Mission one year after its launch.

 

From Kuntal Biswas, Medical College, Kolkata

 

Kangaroo Mother Care, Kuntal Biswas

http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/health/newsupdate/res-03-100506-02.pdf (PDF: 141 KB)

This PowerPoint presentation has pictures of different kangaroo child care postures.

 

From Marine Mukherjee, CINI, Kolkota

 

TARANGA: Newsletter for West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand & Andaman and Nicobar Islands, April – September 2005, Vol 3, No 6, Regional Resource Centre, CINI, Kolkata.

http://www.cini-india.org/taranga.pdf (PDF: 3.39 KB)

The current issue, ‘Health through Panchayat – The West Bengal Story’ describes an NGO - panchayat partnership for providing technical assistance on health related issues to gram sabhas.

 

From Hema Divakar, Mumbai

 

PPH Initiative Workshop Proceedings , organised by AOFOG-FOGSI

Available at http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/health/newsupdate/res-03-100506-03.pdf (PDF: 36 KB)

Proceedings of a joint PPH Initiative workshop organised by Asia Oceania Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecology AOFOG along with FOGSI at Bangalore on 3-4 December, 20005.

 

From Alok Ranjan, Shyam Institute, Bhopal

 

Studies In Population Of Madhya Pradesh 2004, by Alok Ranjan (Chaurasia)

Priced copies available from The Director, ‘Shyam’ Institute, E-13, 45 Bungalows, TT Nagar, Bhopal, MP-475 661, e-mail: aranjan at airtelbroadband.in

This volume is the second in the series on the studies related to the population of Madhya Pradesh, including vital events & trends.

 

From Vanisha Nambiar, Baroda

 

Food Based Strategy – A Public Health Measure To Combat Vitamin A Deficiency’ , by Vanisha Nambiar, Kavita Sharma, Hemangini Gandhi, published by MS University if Baroda.

Priced Copies available from vanisha_nam at yahoo.com

The monograph looks at Carotenoids and Vit A from various plant foods, data on processing, product development, bioavailability trials & transfer of lab based results to the field.

 

From Archana Sinha, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi

 

Gender Dynamics In Water Security: A Study in Rajasthan, by Archana Sinha, 2006

http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/health/newsupdate/res-03-100506-04.pdf (PDF: 45 KB)

Abstract of a bigger study which deals with the vital issues pertaining to the water resource management in the broader framework of natural resource management including gender roles.

 

From Aanchal Kapur, BPNI, Delhi

 

Documentaries ‘Health Matters’ and ‘Barefoot Doctors’

Contact shikhaj at vsnl.com for more details.

Taking a panoramic view of the Indian health sector, these two documentary films look at the present state of health care in India and describe some examples of people centric approach.

 

From Deeksha Sharma, BPNI, Delhi

 

Child Malnutrition; Shanti Ghosh; Economic and Political Weekly, Commentary October 2, 2004

Available at http://www.epw.org.in/showArticles.php?root=2004&leaf=10&filename=7747&filetype=html

A review of the implementation of ICDS scheme.

 

Infant and Young child Undernutrition. Where lies the solution?; Arun Gupta, Jon E Rohde; Economic and Political Weekly December 4, 2004

Available at http://www.epw.org.in/showArticles.php?root=2004&leaf=12&filename=7976&filetype=pdf (PDF 27.5 KB)

The article advocates a shift from food-based approaches towards feeding behaviour changes for countering under nutrition among Indian children. Needs Free Subscription.

 

Repositioning Nutrition as Central to Development: A Strategy for Large-Scale Action; World Bank; March, 2006

Available at http://siteresources.worldbank.org/NUTRITION/Resources/281846-1131636806329/NutritionStrategy.pdf (PDF: 1.56 MB)

The World Bank publication advocates an increased emphasis on nutrition to counter global poverty and provides examples from many parts of the globe on the issue. 

 

ICDS and Persistent Undernutrition Strategies to Enhance the Impact; Michele Gragnolati, Caryn Bredenkamp, Monica Das Gupta, Yi-Kyoung Lee, Meera Shekar; Economic and Political Weekly; March 25, 2006

Available at http://www.epw.org.in/showArticles.php?root=2006&leaf=03&filename=9887&filetype=pdf (PDF: 68.5 KB)

The article examines the effectiveness of the ICDS on in addressing the problem of child undernutritiion in India. Needs Free Subscription.

 

Integrated Child Development Services; Peter Berman; World Bank Review, published in the NFI Bulletin, April 2006, Vol.27 Number1

Available at http://nutritionfoundationofindia.res.in/pdfs/april_2006.pdf (PDF: 213 KB)

Excerpts from a lecture delivered at the Nutrition Foundation of India evaluating the performance of the ICDS and advocating the need for community participation in the programme.

 

Delayed Breastfeeding Initiation Increases Risk of Neonatal Mortality; Karen M. Edmond, Charles Zandoh, Maria A. Quigley, Seeba Amenga-Etego, Seth Owusu-Agyei and Betty R. Kirkwood. Pediatrics, 2006;117;380-386

Available at http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/117/3/e380

The study, conducted in Ghana, investigated the potential of breast feeding as a child survival strategy and assessed the impact of the timing of initiation with neonatal mortality

 

Feed Babies when they are born As Indian policy makers fumble, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka zoom ahead; Arun Gupta; Civil Society, February 2006

A critical appraisal of nutrition policies being implemented by Government of India. Available at Civil Society, through subscription

 

Posted by Veronica Peris, OWSA, New Delhi

 

Open Knowledge Network (OKN), One World South Asia

http://www.openknowledge.net  

OKN is an initiative to support the creation and exchange of local content in local languages across the South, supported by a range of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

 

Posted by Umesh Kapil, AIIMS, Delhi

 

The acute and chronic toxic effects of vitamin A, Kristina L Penniston1 and Sherry A Tanumihardjo, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 83, No. 2, 191-201, February 2006

www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/83/2/191

This article raises some serious concerns about Vit A supplementation doses and it short term and longer term implications.

 

Posted by Meghendra Banerjee, Resource Person

 

India launches hand-washing campaign, Times of India 22nd March 2006, available at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1459820,curpg-1.cms

Campaign launched by the Ministry of Rural Development to promote awareness about hygiene and cleanliness issues as a measure to control easily preventable water borne diseases.

 

Is anyone interested to share their readings, new publications with the community? We are building this resource corner, where your recommended readings will feature.

 

 

 

Members’ Feedback

 

From Marine Mukerjee, CINI, Kolkata

 

Congratulations on your first anniversary!!!  Congratulations to all the members for such lively discussions throughout the year!! A very special thanks goes to the moderating team of MCH community for providing us the opportunity to speak.

 

From Umesh Kapil, AIIMS, Delhi

 

The solution exchange is good forum to share views, but the action is missing. Its success will be when it can help in making a change in the implementation or help in formulation a policy on a national MCH problem. 

 

From Prasant Saboth, Abhilasha Trust, Bhubaneswar

 

I am a paediatrician working for MCH care in Orissa & Jharkhand for about 14 years; my clarity on BMW management has really improved due to the recent discussion. I feel strongly that the NGOs working under RCH II should be oriented about the management of BMW so that they can be advocates among our health service providers at grass root for proper disposal of bio medical wastes!

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

Network Activity

 

Completed Queries (from 31 December to 16 May)

 

Biomedical Waste Management in Rural PHCs, from Exide India, Bangalore, (Experiences). Issued 4 May 2006. Cross posted with Water & Sanitation Community.

Describes the government regulations, standard guidelines as well as practical experiences on the management of Biomedical Waste in a rural health centre.

Download this Consolidated Reply – PDF (210 KB)

 

Family Planning Methods and Menstruation, from Johns Hopkins University, USA, (Experiences). Issued 4 May 2006

Discusses programmatic issues and experience from various stakeholders’ points of view on bleeding changes and contraception options.

Download this Consolidated Reply – PDF (90 KB)

 

Developing IEC Strategy in Safe Motherhood, from MOHFW, GOI, New Delhi (Advice/Example). Issued 1 April 2006

A pool of suggestions on the merit of promoting institutional deliveries vis-à-vis the safe motherhood concept, along with examples from actual field campaigns

Download this Consolidated Reply – PDF (98 KB)

 

Community Based Approaches in Feeding Practices, Lady Irwin College, New Delhi (Experiences), cross-posted with the Food & Nutrition Security Community. Issued 31 March 2006

Explores ways in which healthy infant feeding practices can be promoted in a successful and sustainable manner using ICDS and voluntary workers

Download this Consolidated Reply – PDF (247 KB)

 

Disseminating Maternal Verbal Autopsy Results, from Ekjut, Jharkhand, (Advice). Issued 30 March 2006

Suggests ways in which results of a verbal autopsy study might be disseminated among various groups of stakeholders

Download this Consolidated Reply – PDF (108 KB)

 

Analyzing Traditional Birthing Practices, from WHO India (Experiences).  Issued 21 March 2006

Appraising the traditions and practices associated with pregnancy and child birth in various communities across the country

Download this Consolidated Reply – PDF (135 KB)

 

Arranging Referral Transport in Emergencies, from MOHFW, from MOHFW, GoI, New Delhi (Advice).  Issued 7 March 2006

Innovative examples and considerations from Government agencies, community-based initiatives and NGOs for ensuring timely referrals and transportation in obstetrical emergencies

Download this Consolidated Reply – PDF (256 KB)

 

IEC Strategy for the Health Sector, from Rosetta Stone Media, New Delhi (Experiences; Advice), cross-posted with the AIDS Community.  Issued 16 Feb 2006

Examining issues facing State-level integrated approaches to Information Education and Communication, including synergies with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)

Download this Consolidated Reply – PDF (225 KB)

 

Indices for measuring nutritional status in children, from Prema Ramachandran, NFI New Delhi (Advice), cross-posted with Food & Nutrition Security Community.  Issued 10 Jan 2006

Discussing issues in anthropometry to find the most suited indices for measuring nutritional status in children in India

Download this Consolidated Reply – PDF (225 KB)

 

Offering Medical Termination of Pregnancy Services, from Medha Gandhi, IPAS New Delhi, (Comparative Experiences).  Issued 9 Jan 2006

Issues & operatives in current practices of Medical Termination of Pregnancy in India

Download this Consolidated Reply – PDF (150 KB)

 

Implementation of Health Programmes by Panchayats, from Marine Mukherjee, CINI, Kolkata (Comparative Experiences; Advice), cross-posted with the Decentralization Community.  Issued 31 Dec 2005

Operational issues for Panchayati Raj system to deliver health or related services at various levels, including monitoring indicators

Download this Consolidated Reply – PDF (258 KB)

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Open Queries

 

Send your replies to se-mch at solutionexchange-un.net

 

Monitoring Cold Chain Maintenance, from SRUSTI, Orissa, (Experiences). Reply by 17th May 2006

Seeking ways to monitor vaccine efficacy at the community level.

 

Identifying Post Partum Haemorrhage (PPH), from CEDPA, New Delhi. (Experiences). Reply By 28 May 2006

Seeking practical experience of identifying PPH for in service training of ANMs and health workers.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

Ongoing e-Discussion

 

Send your replies to se-mch_discuss at solutionexchange-un.net

 

Topic: How can we empower families and communities to better utilize MCH services? (Reply by 17 May 2006)

 

Guest Moderator: Dr. B.S. Garg, Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine

Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewa Gram, Wardha, Maharashtra

 

For details & message archives go to http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/mch/e-discuss/

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

Previous Updates

 

MCHealth Community Update #1; Issued 7 November 2005

MCHealth Community Update #2; Issued 23 December 2005

____________________________________________________________________

 

Many thanks to all who contributed to this issue!

If you have items to feature in this News Update, please send it to Solution Exchange for the Maternal and Child Health Community in India at se-mch at solutionexchange-un.net.in

 

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