Nazdeek

Context

combining community trainings, technology and legal intervention to increase accountability in the delivery of maternal health services in tea gardens. The project seeks to build a network of participants who, using SMS technology, will be able to identify and report maternal health rights violations in tea gardens and public health facilities across two blocks in Sonitpur District of Assam.
The project aims to collect crucial data to develop advocacy and litigation strategies to demand better health services and combat maternal and infant mortality.

Website:
http://www.nazdeek.org/

Area of Work:
Asia

Contact Person:
Sukti Dhital

Approaches to implementing Community monitoring/accountability

3 Partner organizations (Nazdeek, Pajhra and ICAAD) has developed a pilot project combining social accountability, legal empowerment and technology. The project, launched in March 2014, seeks to establish a pool of 42 participants in two Blocks of Sonitpur District of Assam, who will be identifying and reporting cases of reproductive health and food rights violations occurring within and outside tea gardens. The reports are sent via SMS using a coding system that covers over 30 types of violations and approximately 20 different health facilities. Data collected is gathered on a web platform running on Ushahidi software, where the information sent by participants is represented on a map and database. The project team has also set up a verification system so that each report is verified via phone, while most serious cases (for instance those involving maternal and child health emergencies) are promptly investigated. Lastly, the project team has developed a short-term and long-term strategy to seek remedies for the cases of violations reported. This includes actions to be taken at ground level such as fact-finding, filing of complaints and representations to government officials.

Results and Lessons

An important outcome is the direct involvement of community members in identifying and reporting violations. In particular, some of the participants have taken a very proactive role in seeking information over conditions in health facilities and availability of services, and at times even facilitating access to services, for instance accompanying pregnant women for medical check ups and ensuring that medicines are given free of costs. This has been a somewhat unexpected outcome which the project coordinators will build upon by intensifying engagement with participants and focusing on existing mechanisms to redress violations.