Involvement of community in health systems management: An experience from Sind, province of Pakistan
Aijaz Ali Khuwaja
IDS Bulletin 31(1): 53-56
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0265-5012 Document Number: 246862
The community is the ultimate barometer of success or failure of an intervention. Involvement of community members in health care programmes, decision-making, evaluation and implementation is a major means for achieving the necessary fit between the programme and its beneficiaries. The World Bank-funded Family Health Project was launched in Sind Province, Pakistan, in 1992. It aims to strengthen the existing health system and improve the health status of the population. To achieve sustainable results, FHP focused on engaging community participation. Village Health Committees were formed at Basic Health Unit and Rural Health Centre levels under an Area Focus Approach. Village Health Committee members were trained to understand the basic concept of FHP, be able to identify factors which affect the health of the community, and suggest local methods for combating these problems. The Village Health Committee's main objective was to ensure community participation, improve utilization of outreach health services, improve accountability of the service providers through community involvement, and decentralization of power at the community level. The paper reflects on the experience of the FHP in implementing these objectives.