SEMINAR ON

HEALTH AGENCIES
NGO’s ROLES AND
FUNCTIONS

Submitted to, Submitted by,

Mrs.Hemavathi.P, Ms.E.R.Gethzi Arathana,
Assistant Professor, M.Sc.(N) I year,
Department of CHN CON, PIMS.
CON, PIMS.

Re-Submitted on: 21.02.2021

 INDEX

S. No Content Page No.

1. Objectives 3
2. Introduction 4
3. I. Health agencies
a) Definition 4
b) International Health Agencies 4-7
c) Bilateral Health Agencies 7-8
4. II. Non-Governmental Organizations
a) Definition 8
b) History of NGOs in India 8
c) Goals/Objectives of NGOs 8-9
d) Characteristics of NGOs 9
e) Functions of NGOs 10-11
f) Classification of NGOs 11
g) List of NGOs in Puducherry 12-13
h) Strengths of NGOs 13
i) Weaknesses of NGOs 13
j) Recommendations to NGOs 14
5. III. Voluntary health agencies
a) Definition 15
b) Functions of voluntary health agencies 15-16
c) Voluntary Health agencies in the world and India 16-20
6. Summary 20
7. Conclusion 21
8. Journal Abstract 21-22
9. Reference 22

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 SEMINAR PROFILE
Subject Community Health Nursing
Unit Health Care Delivery System
Topic Role of Health Agencies and NGOs
Method of Teaching Lecture cum Discussion
AV Aids Power point presentation, chart, pamphlet, whiteboard, handouts,
flannel graphs
Date
Time

Objectives:
General objectives:
Through this the student will be able to understand health agencies and NGOs, their
roles and functions in health care delivery, develop favourable attitude towards their role and
will develop the desired skills to apply in the respective areas.
Specific objectives:
At the end of the teaching the student will be able to
➢ define health agencies
➢ list down the health agencies
➢ enumerate the international health agencies
➢ describe the national health agencies
➢ define non-governmental organizations
➢ discuss the history of NGOs in India
➢ mention the goals and objectives of NGOs
➢ explain the characteristics of NGOs
➢ enumerate the functions of NGOs in different dimensions
➢ enlist the types of NGOs
➢ identify the NGOs in Puducherry
➢ analyze the strength and weaknesses of NGOs
➢ prescribe the recommendations to NGOs
➢ define voluntary health agencies
➢ enumerate the international voluntary health agencies
➢ describe the national voluntary health agencies

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Introduction:
The healthy people are vital to economic and social development. Failure to address
the unmet needs for family planning and reproductive health, increasing transmission of
communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and a significant burden of child mortality are
plunged into a downward spiral of political instability, decreased economic growth,
environmental degradation and an unmanageable burden of disease.
Health issues led to the rising of international conferences to be held and health
agencies were set up for discussion, agreement and cooperation on matters of international
health. The capacity of the public sector to meet the health care needs remain severely limited.
Thus, a global collaborative network is essentially required for the advancement of health and
quality of life of all mankind.

Health agencies play an important role in the community health programs. International
Health agencies, voluntary health agencies and non-governmental organizations are closely
associated with the worldwide health programmes and they are the specific donors on number
of issues and providing economic support for various health programmes. In this we shall focus
on various International Health agencies, voluntary health agencies and non-governmental
organizations contributing in the health care delivery system.

Definition of Health Agencies:

An organization that is administered by an autonomous board which holds meetings,
collects funds for its support chiefly from private sources and expends money, whether with or
without paid workers, in conducting a programme directed primarily to furthering the public
health by providing health services or health education, or by advancing research or legislation
for health, or by a combination of these activities.
Gunn S.M. (Park)
International agencies:
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
• United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• World Bank

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION:

It is a specialized, non-political, health agency of the United Nations, with headquarters
at Geneva. The Constitution “Technical Preparatory Committee” under the chairmanship of
Rene Sand came into force on 7th April, 1948 which is celebrated every year as “World Health
Day”.
A World Health Day theme is chosen each year to focus attention on a specific aspect
of public health.

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Objective:
“The attainment by all people’s of the highest level of health”.

Membership:
Membership in WHO is open to all countries. WHO now has 194 member states and
two associate members.

Works of WHO:
1.Prevention and Control of specific diseases – Epidemiological surveillance of communicable
diseases. Now focus is also made on non-communicable diseases, vector biology and control,
immunology, quality control of drugs, health laboratory technology etc.
2.Development of Comprehensive health services – Organizing health systems based on
primary health care, the development of health manpower and utilization, building up of long-
term national capability and managerial capability. Appropriate Technology for health to
encourage self-sufficiency in solving health problems.
3.Family health – Maternal and child health care, human reproduction, nutrition and health
education.
4.Environmental health – Development of WHO Environmental Health Criteria Programme
and WHO Environmental Health Monitoring Programme through the provision of basic
sanitary services.
5.Health Statistics – Publication of statistics in weekly epidemiological Record, World Health
Statistics Quarterly and World Health Statistics Annual. Updating the International
Classification of Diseases every 10 years.
6.Biomedical Research – Stimulates and coordinates research work through Regional Advisory
Committee for regional health research priorities and Global Advisory committee to deal with
policy issues of global import.
7.Health Literature and Information – Having publications on varieties of health subjects
through Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System.
8.Cooperation with other organizations – Collaborates with UN and other specialized
agencies, and maintains various degrees of working relationships.

Structure:
The World Health Assembly
This is the “Health Parliament” of Nations and the supreme governing body of
organization. It is composed of delegates of Member States. The main functions are
i) to determine international health policy
ii) to review the work of the past year
iii) to approve the budget needed for the following year and
iv) to elect Member states to designate a person to serve for three years on the Executive
Board.

The Executive Board

The Board has 34 members from each member state. They meet at least twice a year.
The main work is to give effect to the decisions and policies of the Assembly. They have the

5
power to take action itself in any emergency.

The Secretariat
It is headed by the Director General. Their function is to provide Member States with
Technical and managerial support for their national health development programmes. There
are 14 divisions.

UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF)

It is one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations. It was established in 1946
by the United Nations General Assembly to deal with rehabilitation of children in war ravaged
countries. In 1953, it got the new name “U.N. Children’s Fund” but retained the initials
UNICEF. The headquarters is in New York and in India the regional office is in New Delhi.
UNICEF works in close collaboration with WHO, and the other specialized agencies
of the United Nations like UNDP, FAO and UNESCO. The recent approach being followed is
‘country health programming’ in which interest is to meet the needs of children as an integral
part of the country’s development effort.
They focus on
i)Child health: Provision of substantial aid for the production of vaccines and sera in many
countries. It also supports vaccination programmes, setting up of vaccination plants for
manufacture, assists in environmental sanitation programmes emphasizing safe and sufficient
water for drinking and household use in rural areas. Current focus is on providing primary
health care to mothers and children. Emphasis is placed on immunization, infant and young
child care, family planning aspects of family health, safe water and adequate sanitation. The
services are organized at the local level for planning personnel and material support. They are
delivered voluntarily at the village level through resident volunteers or part-time primary health
workers.
ii) Child nutrition: It began in the mid-1950s with the development of low-cost protein-rich
food mixtures. Also began aiding “applied nutrition” programmes to help the rural population
grow and eat the foods required for better child nutrition. It also has supplied equipments for
modern dairy plants in various parts of India, viz. Maharashtra, Gujarat as an intervention
against nutritional deficiency diseases, viz. provision of large doses of vitamin A; enrichment
of salt with iodine; provision of iron and folate supplements and enrichment of foods.
iii) Family and child welfare: Improve care of children both within and outside through parent
education, day-care centers, child welfare, youth agencies and women’s club.
iv) Education – formal and non-formal: In collaboration with UNESCO, works for the
improvement of teaching science in India. Availability of science laboratories’ equipment,
workshop tools, library books, audiovisual aids to educational institutions. Emphasis on kind
of schooling relevant to the environment and future life of the children.
Four strategies for “child health revolution”:

✓ G for growth charts to better monitor child development

✓ O for oral rehydration to treat all mild and moderate dehydration
✓ B for breast feeding
✓ I for immunization against measles, diphtheria, polio, pertussis, tetanus and
tuberculosis.

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Other activities:
➢ Participation in Urban Basic Services (UBS) to upgrade basic services like health,
nutrition, water supply, sanitation and education especially for children and women.
➢ Cover programmes assisting in child survival, protection and development through
interventions like immunization, improved infant feeding practices, child growth
monitoring, home based diarrhoea management, drinking water, environmental
sanitation, birth spacing, education of girls and income-generating activities for
women.
UNITED NATIONS FUND FOR POPULATION ACTIVITIES (UNFPA)
It has providing financial assistance since 1974. They are to develop national capability
for the manufacture of contraceptives, to develop population education programmes, to
undertake organized sector projects, to strengthen programme management and to improve
grass-root level health workers and introduction of innovative approaches to family planning
and Maternal Child Health care.
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP)
It was established in 1966. The main objective is to help the poorer nations develop
their human and natural resources more fully in the sectors of agriculture, industry, education
and science, health, social welfare, etc. the member countries meet annually and pledge
contributions to the UNDP.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO)

It was formed in 1945 with headquarters in Rome. The chief aims are
i) to help nations raise living standards
ii) to improve nutrition of the people of all countries
iii) to increase the efficiency of farming, forestry and fisheries and
iv) to better the condition of rural people. Their activities include nutritional
surveys, training courses, seminars and the coordination of research programmes.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO)

It was established in 1919 with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The purposes are
i) to contribute to the establishment of lasting peace by promoting social justice
ii) to improve, through international action, labour conditions and living standards
iii) to promote economic and social stability. They have the International Labour Code which
is a collection of international minimum standards related to health, welfare, living and working
conditions of workers all over the world.

WORLD BANK
They give loans for projects that will lead to economic growth and these include electric
power, roads, railways, agriculture, water supply, education, family planning, etc.

BILATERAL AGENCIES:
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID)
It was created in 1961 in collaboration with the United Nations government. The
projects assigned are 1) malaria eradication 2) medical education 3) nursing education 4) health

7
education 5) water supply and sanitation 6) control of communicable diseases 7) nutrition and
8) family planning and in recent with agriculture.

THE COLOMBO PLAN

This is drafted for the cooperative economic development in South and South East Asia.
It comprises of 20 membership countries. The assistance goes for industrial and agricultural
development. Examples include establishment of All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

THE SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY:

Governmental agency providing technical assistance and funding throughout the
world. channels its resources through NGOs, multilateral cooperation, and the EU. The areas
of work include economy, infrastructure, humanitarian assistance, water and urban
development.

DANISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

The Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) is the official development
cooperation agency of the Government of Denmark under the Danish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. The Danish Development Policy focuses upon eradication of poverty and ensuring
sustainable development. It works in select countries referred to as programme countries and
provides support to NGOs as well as governmental agencies.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS:
Non-governmental organization is defined as private organizations that pursue
activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment,
provide basic social services or undertake community development.
World Bank
They are called as not-for-profit institutions, and officially defined as (a) organizations
that, (b) are not-for-profit and, by law or custom, do not distribute any surplus they may
generate to those who own or control them, (c) are institutionally separate from government,
(d) are self-governing and (e) are non-compulsory.
Public Health Foundation of India
History of NGOs in India:
International Non-governmental organizations have a history dating back to 1839.
However, the phrase “Non-government originations” only came into popular use with the
establishment of the United national organization in 1945.
It was only around 1980 that the Indian Government began to define the role of voluntary
agencies and to recognize their importance. The Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-1985), identified
new areas in which NGOs as new actors could participate in development.
Goals of NGOs:
➢ Community health promotion and education (Such as Hygiene and Waste disposal)
➢ Managing emerging health crisis (HIV/ AIDs, Hepatitis B)
➢ Community social problems (Juvenile crimes, run away street children's, Prostitution)

8
 ➢ Environmental (Sustainable water, energy resource)
➢ Economic (micro loans, skills training, financial education)
➢ Women’s and child issues (Women and children's rights, counselling, literacy issues)
Objectives of NGOs:
NGOs fulfil a wide range of functions including development assistance, crisis relief,
social and health services. The areas they fulfil define their scope. Hardly NGOs are framed
to serve with one objective, and often they carry a primary objective and subsidiary aims that
serve the common or primary objective. The major areas where NGOs serve in the global
arena includes
 Advocacy and awareness regarding particular issues (Doing research and surveys,
working for social justice and offering legal advice to the rural and urban people who are
in need of justice)
 Education and research (like formal education, non-formal education and adult
education programmes to decrease illiteracy rate)
 Human rights
 Women and Child welfare (Organizing mother and child care programmes and value-
based education sessions to decrease, child deaths, malnutrition of women at the time of
pregnancy and children and improving health, hygiene and sanitation in slum areas)
 Community development
 Training and Capacity building
 Health services
 Counselling and Rehabilitation (deprived sections like the handicapped, mentally
retarded and orphans)
 Socio-economic development (development of the people living in rural areas
especially in down-trodden areas)
 Entrepreneurship development and training (generation of employment opportunities,
income generating activities, providing skill-based training, and imparting new technology
in agriculture)
 Culture and recreation
 Participatory democracy
 Formation of self-help groups (provide financial assistance to the members of SHGs in
order to empower them economically)
 Environmental protection
 Other social services

Characteristics of NGOs:
❖ Support democratic system
❖ Function on no profit basis
❖ Non-political in character
❖ Clearly defined objectives
❖ Limited external control
❖ Voluntary Character
❖ Wide operational area

9
 ❖ Positive contribution
❖ Need financial support
❖ Interest in long-term projects
Functions of NGOs:
In primary health care:
o Provide assistance to develop and/or strengthen local NGO capabilities and activities
o Develop innovative programs
o Conduct reviews and assessment of existing health and development programs and
assist communities in the exercise of their own roles
o Ensure full participation by individuals and communities in the planning,
implementation, and control of these programs
o Expand their training efforts to respond to the needs of primary health care programs.
e.g., training of health workers, supervisors, administrators, planners, etc
o Extend their efforts to develop locally sustainable and appropriate health technologies
and use of resources
o Recognize the essential role of women in health promotion
o Further extend their capacity to work with poor, disadvantaged, and remote
populations
In health insurance schemes:
• Many non-profit NGOs operate in India to provide preventive and curative health care
services to the people.
• A small number of those NGOs also offer pre-payment health insurance schemes.
• Schemes will provide different level of coverage for community and hospital care,
varying from partial coverage to total coverage.
• Several NGOs run dispensaries, clinics and hospitals in provision of curative health
care.
• The government promotes NGOs in health sector for two main reasons: (i) to train its
functionaries and (ii) to implement its programme in health care delivery. • The Child
in Need Institute (CINI), Kolkata; and SEWA are good examples of such cooperation.
NGOs and Global Health:
▪ Many U.S. based international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are actively
engaged in international health projects.
▪ The relief agency CARE, for example, participates in a joint CARE-CDC Health
Initiative (CCHI), which makes best use of CDC's technical and scientific expertise and
CARE's on-the-ground capabilities to address critical health issues in countries around
the world.
▪ The eradication of Guinea worm and the prevention of river blindness throughout the
world top the Atlanta-based Carter Centre’s list of global health concerns.
▪ Through the Carter Centre’s efforts, community-based intervention programs primarily
in Africa have greatly reduced the burden of these diseases among some of the world's
poorest people.

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NGOs and Global Health Research:
✓ NGOs are contributing at all stages of the research cycle, fostering the relevance and
effectiveness of the research, priority setting, and knowledge translation to action.
✓ NGOs often play a critical role in interpreting the evidence and translating its relevance
for local communities.
✓ Assessing and evaluating opportunities for advocacy and action occur as NGOs work
with communities on these issues.
Examples of some NGO based research are World Vision (Canada) is active in research
in Senegal funded by CIDA – objective is to reduce micronutrient malnutrition among women
& children, to reduce illness affecting micronutrient status. AMREF research study in 1995 in
Gambia – compared efficacy of insecticide – treated & untreated bed nets in preventing malaria
among children living in Gambia.
ADI (Alzheimer’s Disease International), an NGO affiliated with WHO supported
population-based study in Kerala to evaluate a community dementia case finding program in
2002. Aim was to validate a training program where community health workers (CHWs) were
trained to identify possible cases of dementia.
Classification of NGOs:
NGOs Classification

By the level of Orientation By the level of Operation

a) Charitable Orientation i) Community Based Organizations
b) Service Orientation ii) City Wide Organizations
c) Participatory Orientation iii) National NGOs
d) Empowering Orientation iv) International NGOs

NGOs involved in Entrepreneurship Development

Grassroot Intermediate Primary

Some of the additional terms used:
1. BINGO: Business-friendly International NGO
2. TANGO: Technical assistance NGO
3. TSO: Third Sector Organization
4. DONGO: Donor organized NGO
5. GSO: Grassroots Support Organization
6. ENGO: - (Environmental NGO) for example: - The World Wildlife Fund.

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7. GONGO: - (Governmental-operated NGO), According definition, it’s not an NGO but an
organization created by a government as resemble an NGO for further some agenda.
8. INGO: - (International NGO), for example: - Oxfam.
9. QUANGO: - (Quasi-autonomous NGO), It’s a kind of NGO which may have some part of
governmental members; for example: - ISO.
10. RINGO: - (Religious international NGO), for example: - Catholic Relief Services. 
Other NGOs like
11. DONGO (Donor Organised NGO)
12. MANGO (Market advocacy NGO)

NGOs in Puducherry:
Community Seva Centre Education
Prime Educational and Social Trust Health & Family Welfare
Aadiparasakthi Amman Aadharavatrol Illam Children
Arunthathiear Makkal Sevai Thondu Niruvanam Animal Husbandry
Ashru Art & Culture
Asiriyar Kalai Kuzhu Children
Association For Regional Economic Development Children
Carunnai Special School Differently Abled
Center For Ecological Hands Animal Husbandry
Deepam For Education Empowerment and Agriculture
Development

Emanci Education & Literacy

Foundation for Low Income Group and Social Differently Abled
Health
Gandhiji Educational And Charitable Trust Animal Husbandry
Generation Next Social Welfare Association Education & Literacy
Idhayaranimadharsangam Children
Immaculate Heart Of Mary Social Service Society Children
Journey Mss Sdc HIV/Aids
Lotus Foundation Children
Miracle Educational Charitable Trust Education & Literacy
Mother Theresa Helping Hands Trust Animal Husbandry
Nangal Educational and Social Trust Children
Natura Foundations Charitable Trust Science & Technology

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 Pondicherry Women’s conference Women's Development &
Empowerment

PPEDS Dalit Upliftment

Punitha Magalir Mandram Children
Rural Development for Education and Social Children
Service Society

Satya Special School Differently Abled

Sharana Social and Development Organisation Children
Social Action Human Rights
Social Welfare Security Guards Association Agriculture
Sree Krishna Vocational and Multipurpose Vocational Training
Eductional Society

Sri Balaji Educational and Charitable Public Trust Animal Husbandry

Sri Swarna Akharshana Trust Differently Abled
St Gabriel Educational and Charitable Public Trust Agriculture
St Peters Educational Trust Human Rights
Sudar Oli Seva Centre Rural Development & Poverty
Alleviation

Thalai K Kol Art & Culture

Thiruvalluvar Educational Society Youth Affairs
Women Bright Society Children
Womens Organisation for Social Education And Women's Development &
Developemnt Empowerment

Strengths of NGOs
➢ Great variety of programs to meet many needs.
➢ Potentially very flexible with fast response times.
➢ Volunteers & non‐ profit status lower operational costs.
➢ Staff with high personal commitment to providing help.
➢ Less tainted by association with government.
➢ Lower corruption potential.
➢ Campaigns help educate the public to human needs.
Weaknesses of NGOs:
➢ Limited accountability and ability to evaluate effectiveness.
➢ High motivation not necessarily matched by expertise.
➢ May compete or not coordinate actions with similar NGO and country programs.

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 ➢ Programs often narrowly focus on specific diseases or problems, with limited attention
to infrastructure development.
➢ Lack of Volunteerism/Social work among Youth
➢ Modernization
➢ Target orientated and time-bound Programmes
➢ Area of Interest
Recommendations:
✓ The government of India has to liberalize the rules and regulations of grants aid and to
sanction more grants to NGOs. At the same time, the government should appoint
commissions of enquiry or committees to cross check the misuse of funds by NGOs.
The member of committee has to supervise and monitor the activities of NGOs
periodically. Political and personnel vendetta may be responsible for such investigation
✓ Young graduates from universities, colleges and schools have to conduct the public
seminars, meetings, symposiums etc., and use the local media to advertise the
importance of volunteerism, success stories of NGOs and encourage people to
participate in voluntarism
✓ Universities, colleges and schools has to collaborate with NGOs and conduct a campus
interviews for the young graduates who are interested in voluntarism. NSS and NCC
should encourage students to participate in voluntarism from childhood days onwards.
✓ Monopolization of leadership should be avoided. NGOs should recruit young and
efficient people as leaders and retire the persons who are nominated members for very
long tenures in any group or agency.
✓ The government or donor should concern that particular NGO while giving target
orientated or time bound programme. This leads to maintain the quality in service.
✓ The government or donor while sanctioning the grants for particular programme has to
considered the interest of that particular NGO. According to NGOs interest of
programme, the funds to be sanctioned
✓ The NGOs should use of latest technologies like internet, websites etc., for raising of
their funds, to have mutual associations, to advertise their products and for the selection
of efficient personals.
✓ Special provisions for NGOs who are working in rural areas in getting eligibility
conditions for grants.
✓ NGOs being a welfare organization have to maintain high standard of quality in service.
The government has to recognize those NGOs, by giving awards or rewards with
additional grants
✓ Special funds to be allotted for the NGOs to train the personnel at the grass root level

VOLUNTARY AGENCIES:
"A voluntary health agency may be defined as an organization that is administered by
an autonomous board which holds meetings, collects funds for its support chiefly from private
services and expends money, whether with or without paid workers, in conducting a
programme directed primarily to promote public Health by providing health service or health
education or by advancing research or legislation for health, or by a combination of these
activities".

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Functions:
The types of service rendered by voluntary health agencies have been classified as follows.
a) Supplementing the Work of Government Agencies:
It is well known that government agencies cannot provide complete service because
they operate under financial and statutory restrictions. The voluntary health agencies can help
strengthen the work of government agencies by lending personal, or by contributing funds for
special equipment, supplies or services
b) Pioneering:
The voluntary health agencies are in a position to explore ways and means of doing
new things. Research is one form of pioneering. When the efforts succeed and bear fruit, the
government agencies can step in and take over the project for the benefit of the larger numbers.
The family planning programme in India is an example of pioneering by the voluntary agencies
which first spearheaded the movement in the face of much opposition. When the importance
of family planning was realized, the government accepted family planning as national policy.
c) Education:
There is unlimited scope for health education in India. The government agencies cannot
cope with the problem, unless it is supplemented by voluntary effort on the part of the people.
d) Demonstration:
By putting up demonstrations and experimental projects, the voluntary health agencies
have advanced the cause of public health. The ' demonstration of bore-hole latrines by the
Rockefeller Foundation to solve the problem of hookworm in India is a case in point. The bore-
hole latrine and its modifications have since become an essential part of the environmental
sanitation programme in India.
e) Guarding the Work of Government Agencies:
By setting a good example the voluntary health agency can always guide and criticize
the work of government agencies.
f) Advancing Health Legislation:
The voluntary agencies can also mobilize public opinion and advance legislation on
health matters for the benefit of the whole community.
Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI)
VHAI is a non-profit, registered society formed in the year 1970. It is a federation of
24 state voluntary health associations, linking together more than 4000 health care, institutions
and grass-root level community health programs spread across the country.
Objectives:
to make health a reality for the people of India by promoting community health, social justice
and human rights related to the provision and distribution of health services in India.

15
 VHAI tries to achieve these goals through campaigns, policy research and advocacy,
need basic training, media, parliament interventions, publications and audio-visuals,
dissemination of information and running of health and development project in some difficult
areas. VHAI walks for people centred policies and their effective implementation. It
approaches the general public on important health and development issues for evolving
sustainable health movement in the country with due emphasis on its rich health and cultural
heritage.
2) Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS)
The Indian Red Cross is a voluntary humanitarian organization having a network of
over 700 branches throughout the country, providing relief in times of disasters, emergencies
and promotes health and care of the vulnerable people and communities. It is a leading member
of the largest humanitarian organization in the World, the International Red Cross and Red
Cross Crescent movement.
The mission of the Indian Red Cross is to inspire, encourage and initiate at all times all
forms of humanitarian activities so that human sufferings can be minimized and even prevented
and thus contribute to creating more congenial climate for peace.
Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) was established in 1920 under the Indian Red Cross
society Act and incorporated under Parliament Act XV of 1920. The act was last amended in
1992 and rules were framed in 1994. The IRCS has 35 state/union territories branches with
their more than 700 districts and sub-district branches. His Excellency the President of India is
the President and Hon'ble Union Health Minister is the Chairman of the Society. The Vice
Chairman is elected by the members of the managing body. The National managing body
consist of 19 members. The chairman and 6 members are nominated by the President. The
remaining 12 members are elected by the state and union territory branches through an electoral
college.
The Managing body is responsible for the governance and supervision of the functions
of the society through number of committees The Secretary General is the Chief Executive of
the Society. The Seven fundamental Principles of Red Cross are:
1) Humanity 2) Impartiality 3) Neutrality 4) Independence 5) Voluntary service 6) Unity
7) Universality. Community Health Red Cross on a white background is the Emblem of Red
Cross, recognized in Nursing Administration 1864 as the distinctive sign for Medical relief
teams on the battle field. During the General Assembly and the Council of Delegates in
November 2005 at Geneva, Red Crystal has been adopted as another emblem for the Red Cross
Red Crescent movement. National Headquarter of IRCS is in New Delhi, (Web site:
www.indian redcross.org).
3) Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh (Indian leprosy Association)
The scourge and agony of the disease is very well known and it is for this reason that
the Mass Scale Treatment and Rehabilitation programme of leprosy affected persons was
launched with the establishment of Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, on all India level in the year
1949. It acts as a useful bridge between the Government and non-Governmental organization
engaged in leprosy elimination, to strengthen collaboration and co-ordination for a 'common
goal i.e., prevention and treatment of leprosy and rehabilitation of the cured person.

16
 At the National level, Hon'ble President of India is the President of the Sangh and union
Health Minister is the Chairman.
Main Objectives:
a) To control leprosy and provide relief and assistance to the afflicted person and their family.
b) To collaborate and co-ordinate with other organization already working for the control and
elimination of leprosy and also with the organizations working for orthopaedically
handicapped.
c) To promote social research into the cause and treatment of Leprosy.
d) To devise means whereby the result of such research may be communicated effectively to
the social workers, medical professionals and the public.
e) To establish and maintain institutions for the treatment of patients by up-to-date scientific
methods, extension of existing institutions or establishing new ones.
f) To educate the public opinion with regards to the disease of leprosy and its control through
latest medicines
g) To establish children homes for healthy and non-affected children of the leprosy affected
parents.
h) To establish residential institution for cured people on subsidized bases
i) To establish training centres for leprosy and paramedical workers.
j) To establish centres for occupational therapy, physio-therapy and medicinal therapy.
The following economic rehabilitation programmes were started for cured leprosy affected
persons:
i) Production of Handloom cloth
ii) Physiotherapy unit and plastic surgery
iii) Poultry fanning
iv) Cultivation of vegetables
v) Sewing Centre
vi) Farming, etc

4) Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW)

Indian Council for child welfare is a voluntary organization working for the
development of disadvantaged children in child rights issues like child labour, female
infanticide, child abuse, early child hood care and education through direct intervention
programmes with children training, advocacy and action-oriented research. The council was
established in 1952. It is affiliated with the International Union for Child Welfare. Since its
formation, the ICCW has built up a network of state councils and district councils all over the
country. The services are devoted to secure for Indian Children those opportunities and
facilities, by law and other means which &e necessary, to enable them to develop physically,
mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of
freedom and dignity.
5) Tuberculosis Association of India
The Tuberculosis Association of India was formed in 1939. It has branches in all states
in India. The activities of this association comprise organizing a TB Seal Campaign every year
to raise funds, training of doctors, health visitors and social workers in antituberculosis work,
promotion of health, education and promotion of consultations and conferences. The following

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institutions are under the management of the Association. The New Delhi Tuberculosis centre,
The Lady Linlithgow Sanatorium in Kasauli, The King Edward VII Sanitation at Dharampur,
and Tuberculosis Hospital at Mehrauli.
6) Bharat Sevak Samaj (BSS)
The Barat Sevak Samaj is a non-political and non-official organization established in
1952. One of the prime objectives of the Bharat Sevak Samaj is to help people to achieve
health by their own actions and efforts. The BSS. has branches in all the states and in nearly
all the districts. Improvement of sanitation in villages is one of the important activities of the
B.S.S. Self-help group's self-development initiatives of BSS have made a significant difference
to the lives of poorest community.
7) Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB)
Central social welfare Board is an apex organization for the welfare of women, children
and the disadvantaged groups. The CSWB was set up in 1953 with the objectives of promoting
social welfare activities and implementing welfare programmes for women and children
through voluntary organizations.
The CSWB within the broad objectives of empowering women and providing for the needs of
children is implementing the following programmes/activities.
Community Health Nursing Administration Condensed Courses of Education and Vocational
Training to Needy and Deserving Women through voluntary organizations. The grant is given
to the voluntary organization to conduct courses of a 2 years duration to enable women of the
age 15 plus to pass Matric, Secondary, middle and primary level examination.
The training is given in different vocation such as Draft, designing, Computer courses,
type setting, Batik, Handloom weaving, Nursery Teacher Training, Stenography etc.
Awareness Generation Programme for Rural and Poor Women. The aim of this programme is
to create awareness among rural and poor women on various social issues so that they can
realize their importance in the family and society.
Socio Economic Programme (SEP) Under this programme, voluntary organizations are
given financial assistance to take up variety of income generating activities which include the
handlooms, handicrafts, agro-based activities such as animal husbandry, sericulture and fishery
and self-employment ventures like vegetables or fish vending etc.,
8) The Kasturba Memorial Fund
Created in Commemoration of Kasturba Gandhi, after her death in 1944, the fund was
raised with the main object of improving the lot of women, especially in the villages, through
gram sevikas. The trust has nearly a crore of rupees and is actively engaged in various welfare
projects in the country.
9) Family Planning Association of India (FPAI)
The family planning Association of India was formed in 1949 with its head quarter at
Bombay. It has done pioneering work in propagating family planning in India. The Association
has branches all over the country. These branches are running family Voluntary and
International planning clinics with grant-in-aid from the Government. It aims to promote family

18
planning as a basic human right and the norm of a two-child family on voluntary basis and to
achieve a balance between population and resources. It also prepares young people for
responsible attitudes in human sexuality and to provide education and services in underserved
areas of country. It generates awareness about small family norms through seminars,
conferences and media and also by organizing art/literacy competitions. The Association has
trained several hundred doctors, health visitors, and social workers.
10) All India Women's Conference (AIWC)
It is India's Pioneer Women's Voluntary organization, and one of the oldest
Organization for women in the country founded in 1927 by Margaret cousins, an Irish lady,
who had made India her home. Its original concern was women's education but gradually it
took up various social and economic issues concerning women such as purdah, child marriage,
trafficking, women's property rights etc. Today, AIWC has over 100000 members in 500
branches all over the country. It is recognized as a premier organization working for women's
development and empowerment. Most of the branches are running MCH clinics, medical
centres, adult education centres, milk centres and family planning clinics.
11) All India Blind Relief Society
The All-India Blind relief society was established in 1946 with a view to coordinate
different institutions working for the blind. It organizes eye relief camps and other measures
for the relief of the blind.
12) Professional Bodies
The Indian Medical Association, All India Licentiates Association, All India Dental
Association, the Trained Nurses Association of India are all voluntary agencies of men and
women who are qualified in their respective specialties and possess registerable qualifications.
These Professional bodies conduct annual conferences, publish journals, arrange scientific
sessions and exhibitions, foster research, set up standards of professional education and
organize relief camps during period of natural calamities and disasters.
International Voluntary Health Agencies:
International Red Cross
Red Cross is a non-political, non-official, International humanitarian voluntary
organization devoted to the service of mankind in peace and war. It was founded by Swiss
businessman Henry Dunant. International committee of Red Cross are independent, neutral
institution and has branches all over the world. In 1919 the League of the Red Cross society
was created with its headquarter in Geneva to Co-ordinate the work of national societies. The
role of Red Cross is to ' provide humanitarian services to victims of wars, natural disasters i.e.,
flood, earthquake, service to armed forces, first aid, home nursing, health education, maternal
and child welfare services.
Colombo Plan
Colombo plan was drawn when common wealth foreign minister of six common wealth
nations met in January, 1950 at Colombo. The Colombo plan assists in industrial and
agricultural development with some support to health promotions giving fellowships. The aim

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of Colombo plan is to seek improvement in living standards of the people by reviewing
development plans and co-ordinating development assistance.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
USAID is technical Co-operative Mission. India has received assistance in: Malaria
Control and eradication programme, control of Filaria, Medical education, national water
supply and sanitation, agriculture support and family planning programmes.
Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere (CARE)
CARE is non-sectarian, non-governmental organization established in 1946 for the
immediate purpose of sending food from American donors to people in war devastated Europe.
When post-war emergency programmes completed, CARE extended programmes to other
countries. In India operation began in 1950. It has been helping lndia in Midday School Meal
Programme, in primary school children since 1961. It has given help in the field of Medicine,
literacy vocational training and agriculture. It also helps schools by providing garden tools,
pumps and improved seeds to grow more food. CARE has provided mobile medical X-ray
machines, diagnostic equipment, eye glasses and frames, medical books, medicines and
vitamins.
Rockefeller Foundation (RF)
The Rockefeller foundation (RF) is founded by Mr. John D. Rockefeller in 1913. Its
aim is to promote the wellbeing of mankind throughout the World All India Research Institute
at Pune is financed by Rockefeller Foundation. RF has trained many persons in teaching and
research work by giving them financial help.

International Labour Organization (ILO)

ILO was established in 1919 as an affiliate of the league of Nations to improve the
working and Living Conditions of the working population all over the world. The main
objectives of ILO are: To contribute to the establishment of lasting peace by promoting Social
Justice. To improve through International action, Labour conditions and living standards. To
promote economic and social stability.
Port/Airport Health Organizations
The Port and Airport health organization in accordance with the International Health
regulation 1969, Indian Port Health Rules 1955 and Aircraft Rules 1954 implement all the
measures to prevent international spread of communicable diseases and prevent entry of yellow
fever into the country through passengers coming from or transiting through notified yellow
fever endemic countries.
Summary

Health agencies and NGO activities include a lot but are not limited to environmental,
social, advocacy and human rights work. They can work to promote social or political change
on a broad scale or very locally. All the health agencies together with non-governmental

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organizations play a critical part in developing society, improving communities, and promoting
citizen participation.
Conclusion

Health care organizations across the country are transforming to address population
health. Health systems take as they progress toward population health. The experience of health
care organizations has coordinated effort across payers, health care organizations, public health
agencies, and community-based organizations to transform and to achieve the aim of improved
population health and experience at a sustainable cost. There are both challenges and lessons
learned that are applicable for health care organizations across the country pursuing the journey
to population health.
Journal Abstract:

1. Increasing Contraceptive Use Among Young Married Couples in Bihar, India:

Evidence From a Decade of Implementation of the PRACHAR Project (Laura
Subramanian, Callie Simon, and Elkan E. Daniel
Evidence on effective behavior change programming for sexual and reproductive health
among married youth aged 15–24 in developing countries is lacking. To address this gap, the
researchers examined monitoring, evaluation, and special study data from the Promoting
Change in Reproductive Behavior of Adolescents (PRACHAR) Project, which was
implemented between 2001 and 2012 in Bihar, India, over 3 phases using 2 different
implementation models (NGO- and government-led). They conducted a synthesis of evidence
from multiple PRACHAR studies to identify key findings on intervention effectiveness,
scalability, and sustained effects on behaviors. Data were triangulated from quantitative
population-based quasi-experimental evaluations from each project phase; the project's
performance monitoring database; and qualitative studies with beneficiaries. The findings
from the monitoring and evaluation data suggest that this approach—intervening at multiple
points along the life cycle—had powerful impacts on the uptake of contraception. Young
women who received home visits at multiple life stages as per the intervention design had the
highest use of contraception, and women who had used contraception before their first birth
were more likely to use contraception after their first birth than those who had not previously
used contraception. This finding has relevance to a range of contexts and quantitatively
reinforces the importance of interventions across the life cycle, including prior to the first birth.
A decade of learning from the PRACHAR Project in Bihar, India, finds that comprehensive
programming with gender-synchronized interventions tailored to specific life stages and aimed
at different levels of the socioecological model can effectively increase contraceptive use
among married young people in a conservative context. Shifting from a more intensive NGO-
led model to less intensive government implementation enhances scalability but may have
diminished impact on reach and long-lasting effectiveness.
2. Point‐of‐use fortification of foods with micronutrient powders containing iron in
children of preschool and school‐age (Luz Maria De‐Regil, Maria Elena D
Jefferds, and Juan Pablo Peña‐Rosas)
Point‐of‐use fortification of foods with micronutrient powders (MNP) has been
proposed as a feasible intervention to prevent and treat anaemia. It refers to the addition of iron
alone or in combination with other vitamins and minerals in powder form, to energy‐containing
foods (excluding beverages) at home or in any other place where meals are to be consumed.

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MNPs can be added to foods either during or after cooking or immediately before consumption
without the explicit purpose of improving the flavour or colour. The objective was to assess
the effects of point‐of‐use fortification of foods with iron‐containing MNP alone, or in
combination with other vitamins and minerals on nutrition, health and development among
children at preschool (24 to 59 months) and school (five to 12 years) age, compared with no
intervention, a placebo or iron‐containing supplements.
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi‐RCTs trials with either individual or
cluster randomisation. Participants were children aged between 24 months and 12 years at the
time of intervention. Two review authors independently assessed the eligibility of trials against
the inclusion criteria, extracted data from included trials, assessed the risk of bias of the
included trials and graded the quality of the evidence. It included 13 studies involving 5810
participants from Latin America, Africa and Asia and excluded 38 studies and identified six
ongoing/ unpublished trials. All trials compared the provision of MNP for point‐of‐use
fortification with no intervention or placebo. No trials compared the effects of MNP versus
iron‐containing supplements (as drops, tablets or syrup). The sample sizes in the included trials
ranged from 90 to 2193 participants. Six trials included participants younger than 59 months
of age only, four included only children aged 60 months or older, and three trials included
children both younger and older than 59 months of age.
MNPs contained from two to 18 vitamins and minerals. The iron doses varied from 2.5
mg to 30 mg of elemental iron. Four trials reported giving 10 mg of elemental iron as sodium
iron ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (NaFeEDTA), chelated ferrous sulphate or
microencapsulated ferrous fumarate. Three trials gave 12.5 mg of elemental iron as
microencapsulated ferrous fumarate. Three trials gave 2.5 mg or 2.86 mg of elemental iron as
NaFeEDTA. One trial gave 30 mg and one trial provided 14 mg of elemental iron as
microencapsulated ferrous fumarate, while one trial gave 28 mg of iron as ferrous glycine
phosphate.In comparison with receiving no intervention or a placebo, children receiving iron‐
containing MNP for point‐of‐use fortification of foods had lower risk of anaemia prevalence
ratio (PR) 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49 to 0.88, 10 trials, 2448 children; moderate‐
quality evidence) and iron deficiency (PR 0.35, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.47, 5 trials, 1364 children;
moderate‐quality evidence) and had higher haemoglobin (mean difference (MD) 3.37 g/L, 95%
CI 0.94 to 5.80, 11 trials, 2746 children; low‐quality evidence).Only one trial with 115 children
reported on all‐cause mortality (zero cases; low‐quality evidence). There was no effect on
diarrhoea (risk ratio (RR) 0.97, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.78, 2 trials, 366 children; low‐quality
evidence).
Point‐of‐use fortification of foods with MNPs containing iron reduces anaemia and iron
deficiency in preschool‐ and school‐age children. However, information on mortality,
morbidity, developmental outcomes and adverse effects is still scarce.
Reference:

Book reference:

1. Mahajan & Gupta (Revised by Roy and Saha) (2013), Textbook of preventive and
social medicine, Fourth edition, Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers, New Delhi, Pp:
629-630.
2. Park.K (2017), Preventive and Social medicine, 24th edition, Bhanot Publishers,
Jabalpur, Pp:955-965.

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Net reference:
1. http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/814581468739240860/pdf/multi-
page.pdf
2. https://www.slideshare.net/arifasudheer/health-care-agencies-119437104
3. https://www.slideshare.net/dattatreyareddyperam/non-governmental-organisations-
ngos
4. https://www.slideshare.net/MuthurajK3/non-government-organization-ng-os
5. https://www.slideshare.net/NabeelaBasha/ngos-and-their-role-in-health
Journal reference:
De-Regil, L. M., Jefferds, M., & Peña-Rosas, J. P. (2017). Point-of-use fortification of foods
with micronutrient powders containing iron in children of preschool and school-
age. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 11(11), CD009666.
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858. (Accessed on 21/02/2021)

Subramanian, L., Simon, C., & Daniel, E. E. (2018). Increasing Contraceptive Use Among
Young Married Couples in Bihar, India: Evidence from a Decade of Implementation of
the PRACHAR Project. Global health, science and practice, 6(2), 330–344.
https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-17-00440 (Accessed on 21/02/2021)

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