A system to manage complex partnerships

In India, nine women die every

hour from complications

related to pregnancy or

childbirth, adding up to 78,000

deaths a year. A million babies

die annually. This country has

the unfortunate distinction of

accounting for more than a

quarter of the newborn deaths

in the world.

There is no dearth of inspiring

individuals and organizations

that are tirelessly working to

tackle this serious problem and bring about positive change. However, while a lot of good

work is being done in the country, apart from a few government reports, there is no

mechanism to comprehensively capture the invaluable data and wisdom gathered by

these organizations and to make it readily accessible. As a result, new projects are often

unable to tap the existing pool of experience and use it as a foundation to build upon;

instead, they have to start from scratch and operate in the dark.

Sure Start five-year initiative based at PATH, an international not-for-profit

organization supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recognizes the need for

collating and then disseminating information and it has come up with an innovative way

of doing so. The project, along with 95 partners in rural communities in Uttar Pradesh

and settlements of marginalized people in Maharashtra’s sprawling cities, is one of the

organizations working to help mothers and their children to survive and stay healthy.

Each of Sure Start’s partners has

a fund of unique knowledge. To

manage these partnerships and

help collaborators overcome

their own obstacles, Sure Start

uses an innovative Management

Information System (MIS). The

system employs a strategy that

focuses on partnership, training,

standardization in project

implementation, and recording

of data. Sure Start has

established MIS’ in both states—these have grown and flourished with the project’s

ambitious work.

In Uttar Pradesh, Sure Start’s partners collect data on a number of indicators related to

maternal and newborn health behaviors and access to services. Project personnel are

trained to use the MIS. The information collected for the areas in which Sure Start works

is specific and precise. It is ultimately collated and made accessible to people at different

levels, including government personnel who can use the data to shape effective policies

to bring about tangible change.

Since the endeavor is based on sharing knowledge, all the partners can utilize the

collected information. The system is designed to continue well after the project

concludes.

Sure Start continually works with its partners to improve their capabilities and build their

skill in using their systems. These efforts have helped 42 of Sure Start’s 55 partners in

Uttar Pradesh receive program funding from both government and private donors.

In Maharashtra, the system

tracks approximately 22,000

pregnant women across seven

cities. It stores data on the

number of home visits,

number of expectant mothers

contacted for behavior change

communication, percentage of

expectant mothers who have

received the tetanus toxoid

vaccine, percentage of births

that take place in institutions,

etc.

Staying true to its philosophy of decentralization, Sure Start has trained field staff,

community health workers, and supervisors in the use of the MIS. It is also

collaboratively building its partners’ capacities in areas like advocacy, financial

management, and capacity building.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” Gandhi once said. Sure Start’s

approach aims to help its partners to give birth to, and manage, this change.

Sure Start works to educate women in India on maternal and neonatal health. Sure Start, an

initiative by PATH, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to promote safe

childbirth practices in India.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sure-Start-Project-by-Path/178629192101

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pathsurestart