Improving child health in the Sundarbans:
Future Health Systems is a research consortium working to improve access, affordability and quality of health services for the poor and socially marginalised groups. We are a partnership of leading research institutes from across the globe working in a variety of contexts: in low-income countries (Bangladesh, Uganda), middle-income countries (China, India
) and fragile states (Afghanistan) to build resilient health systems for the future.After a successful first phase from 2006-2011, we are now in a new six-year phase of research, funded mainly by the UK Department of International Development (DFID). Unlocking community capabilities: How can the wide range of resources available at the community be systematically identified and used to improve the quality and impact of health services, particularly for disadvantaged groups?
2. Stimulating Innovations: How can new technologies and organisational innovations be used to improve the quality, coverage and affordability of healthcare in resource-poor settings?
3. Learning by doing in complex adaptive systems: How can models for systematic learning-by-doing be best used by providers, beneficiaries, officials and key local actors to improve the delivery of health services in complex and dynamic
FHS India focus
During this phase, the FHS India team will generate knowledge on the barriers to deliver and to access health services for children in the Sundarbans. More importantly, we will look for ways to mitigate these challenges and to strengthen the overall health system. The Sundarbans of West Bengal arechallenged by climatic shocks and geographical adversities associated with lowlying delta regions. Cyclones and increasingly frequent flooding damage infrastructure and pose significant challenges. This has resulted in a highly fragmented health system, with uncoordinated service provision attempted by the government, NGOs and informal private providers – trapping residentsin a vicious cycle of poverty andpoor health. Health dispareties tend to effect children more signficantly.Indeed our research from 2009 indicates that about half of the children in the Sundarbans below five years are chronically malnourished, leading to increased vulnerability to respiratory and gastro-intestinal ailments. Ensuring our research is relevant and useful to local stakeholders is at the core of FHS India. We will work to inform the public sector of our research findings and improve local political processes and involvement of civil society to protect the interests of the poor in health. Previous research from FHS India has unearthed several specific knowledge gaps that are hindering improved health services in the Sundarbans. At one level, local health providers might not be entirely aware of the shifting health issues and priorities faced by populations in the Sundarbans. At another, local providers often have limited knowledge about the services provided by others. To respond to these gaps, FHS India will develop the following:
• Health watch report: This periodic report will paint a comprehensive picture of local health needs and how health services are perceived and utilised.
• Learning platform: This series of meetings will bring together multiple stakeholders – including health providers and implementing organisations, regulators, civil society, governments
and funding agencies – to engage in research processes and to better understand their own roles and functions in the local health system. We strive to foster social awareness and facilitate dialogues with the key stakeholders, practitioners, end users and the larger community. A series of workshops, in-depth interviews, group discussions and community level meets have been planned, and we welcome new participants. Contact us on the information provided below if you’d like to get involved, or sign up for updates on our website and to receive periodic newsletters. Key resources
• Health Care In The Sundarbans Challenges And Plan For A Better Future http://bit.ly/FHSind
Contact
Shibaji Bose
Communications Officer, FHS India
Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR)
Nazirabad
P.O. Ucchepota (beside Heritage Group of Institutes)
Kolkata 700 150, West Bengal, India
Phone: +91-33-6415 8788
Email: [email protected]
