Networking between community health programs: A team-work approach to improving health service provision

Abstract

Background: Networking between non-government organisations in the health sector is recognised as an effective method of improving service delivery. The Uttarakhand Cluster was established in 2008 as a collaboration of community health programs in rural north India with the aim of building capacity, increasing visibility and improving linkages with the government. This qualitative research, conducted between 2011-2012, examined the factors contributing to formation and sustainability of this clustering approach. Methods. Annual focus group discussions, indicator surveys and participant observation were used to document and observe the factors involved in the formation and sustainability of a..