Private voluntary organizations for health

A Special Grants Committee to be established by the Government of India will have overall responsibility for the project; a Secretariat to be established within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) will directly administer the project. A total of 10-15 subgrants will be provided to PVO"s currently planning community-oriented outreach programs. Preference will be given to PVO"s whose plans include both preventive and remedial care. The project is expected to strengthen PVOs" participation in: organized outreach service delivery; education and training of indigenous practitioners and continued education of doctors who serve the poor; management training in support of improved basic health, family planning, or nutrition services; tests of new approaches to service delivery; and information, communication, and education programs. At least 80% of project funds will be allocated to rural, village, and small town settings. Participating PVO"s will be required to satisfy A.I.D. eligibility and A.I.D. and GOI financial accountability criteria; subgrant requests must also discuss plans for post-project financing. The Special Grants Committee will authorize all subgrant awards and have overall monitoring/evaluation and financial responsibility. Duties of the MOHFW Secretariat will include disseminating information about the project and the availability of funds; screening applications for recommendation to the Committee; commissioning consultative technical help to assist worthy potential subgrantees; monitoring and evaluating subgrantee performance; and disseminating information about program results.