Primary healthcare accountability in Karnataka. (360G-Wellcome-107308_Z_15_Z)

The National Rural Health Mission in India introduced Village Health and Sanitation Committees (VHSCs) in 2007 to improve accountability of primary healthcare to the local community. However, beyond documenting the frequency of meetings, little is known about their impact in terms of health promotion. Building on research conducted by the Principle Investigator and Collaborator over the past three years, this research aims to develop a framework to study the extent to which these committees ar e providing leverage to improve rural health systems. The research will take place in the 12 villages served by Gumballi primary health centre in Karnataka managed by the Karuna Trust NGO with whom the researchers have established linkages. Our research approach will be to triangulate qualitative data on relevant VHSC processes we have identified (such as building awareness on health issues, local prioritisation of untied funds, planning and monitoring) with quantitative trend data on health i ndicators. In line with VHSC activity, our focus will be on water-borne diseases and maternal health. The relevance of this project will be in terms of providing a framework for integrating the community through VHSCs with the formal health systems apparatus.