A model for population's involvement in healthcare management

A model for population’s involvement in healthcare management
Learning Objectives
The participants will learn an effective model for civil society development through community mobilization for fundamental sustainable improvement in population’s health behavior.
Background
After the collapse of Soviet healthcare system an estrangement was developed between the population and PHC. Morbidity and mortality increase due to preventable diseases could be addressed through community mobilization (CM) and health education (HE).  The USAID-funded Primary Healthcare Reform Project took responsibility to upgrade Primary Health Care (PHC) in rural areas. CM and HE activities are vital part of PHCR efforts aimed to improve rural population’s health. Under its CM strategy the Project establishes Community Health Committees (CHC), which will address community health improvement and disease prevention issues on an everyday basis.
Design and Evaluation Methods
PHCR facilitated formation of 107 rural CHCs, each comprised of 10 volunteers. CHC’s objective is to help solving PHC problems in the community.  Health needs assessments were conducted through health-focused participatory rural appraisals.  
PHCR builds capacity of local NGOs to train CHCs to be motivational agents in their communities and the long-term partners for community development activities.  
Implementation and impact of the program are monitored by site visits, CHC work observation, and in-depth interviews with program stakeholders and beneficiaries.  
Outcomes/Results
A total of 1150 participants completed PHCR organized CHC trainings in 107 communities. 17 NGOs were trained. The communities were actively involved in Project activities. Monitoring of the program demonstrated high effectiveness. As a result, the CM program was incorporated into the current National Health Strategic Plan.
Conclusions
Population’s involvement for health improvement is an important step in healthcare reform initiatives. CM and HE should be organized with the implementation of evidence based methods.