Tamil Nadu Voluntary Health Association

Context

Tamilnadu Voluntary Health Association is a non-profit, secular, registerd Association of Voluntary Organisations working for health promotion in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. It was registered under Tamil Nadu Society's Registration Act in 1971 at Dindigul.Shifted in Chennai 1980 and memorandam was revised.

Nature of Work

  • By collaborating with various organizations TNVHA could reach out to teachers, students, community members and women. In many places youth also.
  • In early 90’s TNVHA worked with Corporation School with support of NGO for Health Education in Chennai. Many teachers were trained as trainers to do health education. Visual health education Aids were given to them.
  • Most of the World Days – women’s day, Children ‘day, World health day , Leprosy day, No tobacco day were conducted in Government schools in rural area, after NGO members were trained in School health promotion. Rallis and Public meetings were conducted.NGOs called the PHC  medical persons as resource person for many health education.
  • Child to child health and Kutti Doctors strategies were used in  schools with support of NGO members.
  • In late 90s and early 2000 -03, as Mother NGO for MOH&FW , TNVHA trained NGOs to promote not only MCH but also Reproductive health in  rural community and schools.
  • In the same way for Dept of AYUSH  of MOH&FW. In rural Schools they taught Yoga and health action. All these schools were Government schools..
Website:
www.tnvha1971.org
Area of Work:
Kattangulathur, India
Contact Person:
P. Rajan

Approaches to implementing Community monitoring/accountabilty

  • Good things happen when we are accountable. We learn from the people around us. When the work environment is designed for accountability, it will flourish.  
  • TNVHA has a set of bye-laws with a clear cut procedure in running the organisation and guide us in all respect. TNVHA staff team,  Board members have Clear roles, team leadership and individual ownership.
  • In the beginning of the every month staff review meeting is conducted and each one make their presentation based on the action plan(ATP). This is done in consultation and as a team it is worked out and ensure there is no gap while planning. Here each one’s view is respected and each one’s contribution and decision is ensured and they become automatically accountable for themselves. Each member should have the obligation to seek information, give and receive feedback and point out the need for corrective action at any time. With the  Support which  is the key to increase their skills, confidence and ownership.
  • In the same way the Board members meet regularly and make policies which are required for the organisation. In turn everyone is accountable before the Annual General Body meeting and get approval for all the major activities including the finance.

Results and lessons

  • One of the major achievements of our work is encouraged small NGOs for their growth and development with our regular capacity building training programme and with our financial support. Today such NGOs are proudly say that their existence is due to TNVHA’s support and concern.
  • Being a networking organisation with the membership of NGOs only the vision and the health promotion for the poor is the guiding principle
  • It is necessary to have state and national level body to guide the Govt.and put pressure with them to bring policies which are favaourable to the poor people
  • Our advocacy and lobbying will work out with the Govt. only if people understand the pressure and come united