SATHI Phase I Project

Building on the foundations of the A. S. project, the SATHI cell (2002-2004) in its first phase expanded and consolidated its work in these three field areas, added two new areas by collaborating with additional people's organizations and gave training and other inputs to other like-minded NGOs. It also made attempts at long-term sustainability of the CHW programme mainly in the form of seeking state support for it. The state health officials in Maharashtra agreed to consider certain improvements in it's Pada Swayam Sevak (Hamlet Health Volunteer) scheme as part of a special scheme for tribal areas. In a pilot project in two PHC areas in Dahanu taluka, the SATHI cell gave training inputs for the women CHWs in these two PHCs, appointed and supported by the state under this Scheme. Going beyond its usual policy, the Govt. has also provided medicines to these 50 women health workers, and was favourably inclined to duplicate this experiment of upgrading of the Pada Swayam Sevaks. However, despite intensive advocacy efforts, the plan for a state-wide scheme of public health system supported CHWs was not adequately backed up by the policy makers.

The SATHI cell took a number of advocacy initiatives for health rights at local, state and national level. The team carried advocacy work in the health sector to a higher level by initiating and playing a leading role in the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan's national campaign for Right to health care. The Cell took initiative, organised the preparations and actively facilitated a series of five Regional public hearings in various regions of the country (West, South, North, East and North-east; July to November 04) to be followed by a National public hearing (Dec. 04) on the 'Right to Health Care'. These hearings were organised by National Human Rights Commission in collaboration with Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, with overall coordination support by the SATHI team. The role of members of SATHI team of CEHAT was widely recognised, as a leading resource persons at both state and National level in this campaign, with the national secretariat of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan being managed by the SATHI team in CEHAT.

This period also saw a series of action research studies and investigations guided by the SATHI Cell, along with publications arising out of training, awareness, advocacy and survey activities; these publications are being widely sought and used. Thus overall, the A. S. Project and the SATHI Cell in its first phase have helped -

* To firmly put health on the agenda of various people's organisations;

* To enhance capacities of people's organizations and other groups for action on community health and health rights.

* The SATHI team to emerge as a leading partner in the Right to health care campaign at state and national level,

* The emergence of the SATHI team as a resource team for various NGOs taking up health work.

In short, a difficult and complex journey towards establishing community health alternatives and a system of health rights was initiated. With this overall context in mind, by 2005, the SATHI Cell developed into a Resource unit to support activities and campaigns on Community Health and Health Rights.

Some relevant strengths of the SATHI Cell, which enabled it to evolve as a model resource cell for the health movement, are as follows:

* Systematic involvement in effective coordinated action at multiple levels - local, state and national - while facilitating linkages and synergy between these levels

* Collaboration between an NGO and several people's movements; initiation and continued involvement in such collaborations leading to health movements in multiple areas

* Capacity to guide action in multiple dimensions - training, awareness building, health related community organisation, advocacy at various levels and action research - to provide integrated inputs required by the health movement

* Combination of creating workable alternatives and fostering movements

* Regional and national reach by convening Jan Swasthya Abhiyan activities in Western India and hosting the National secretariat of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (PHM-India).