In order to achieve the maintenance and expansion of integrated health and nutrition services through local NGOs, OPEN will,
MAINTAIN AND EXPAND THE LIST OF FIELD PARTNERS INITIALLY ASSEMBLED BY PROPECTIVE “INTERESTED OVERSEAS DONOR”
OPEN will maintain contact with existing field partners, previously identified by “INTERESTED OVERSEAS DONOR” who are already distributing vitamin A + albendazole; and will work to expand the list of NGO field partners. OPEN will vet all field partners consistent with illustrative guidelines previously used by the “interested overseas donor” in India. OPEN will expand the network of NGOs such that it can reach at least 10 – 15 m beneficiaries each program year.
PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FIELD PARTNERS:
OPEN will continue efforts to: i) develop trainers throughout India proficient in the provision of integrated health and nutrition services and who have achieved competency as a skilled trainer of integrated health and nutrition services, ii) use this network of trainers to prepare competent health and nutrition service providers, iii) create a network of health care professionals competent to undertake ongoing monitoring of the integrated health and nutrition activities of field partners, and iv) deliver ongoing on-the-job technical assistance and advice to all field partners. OPEN will use learning programs (and materials) previously developed by “interested overseas donor” using health care professionals in India and subsequently localized to conditions in India. OPEN will provide initial technical assistance (activation assistance) to all new NGO field partners.
CREATE A PROGRAM OF REGULAR MONITORING OF ALL FIELD PARTNERS:
OPEN will work with expert training developers to create a learning program to facilitate “monitoring” by project managers and continuing education staff. This learning program will address how to assess integrated health and nutrition services, and how to use the results to provide on-the-spot technical assistance. OPEN will monitor at least 30% of all NGO field partners each year.
ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOCAL PROCUREMENT OF MICRONUTRIENT AND DRUG SUPPLIES TO BE DEPLOYED TO INDIGENOUS NGOS THROUGHOUT INDIA:
“Interested overseas donor”, in conjunction with OPEN, has been working with local manufacturers to produce vitamin A capsules that meet Indian and international regulatory requirements. Under this proposal, OPEN will maintain a working relationship with both manufacturers and regularly manage the process of procurement of vitamin A. OPEN will also manage procurement of albendazole from qualified India pharmaceutical manufacturers. OPEN will manage procurements. “Interested overseas donor” will be the procurement entity for PY1 and PY2 and, all locally procured commodities will be transferred to OPEN as a Gift-in-Kind during PY1 and PY2.
MANAGE AN APPROVED WAREHOUSE (WITH A DRUG LICENSE) AND MANAGE ONWARD SHIPMENT OF MICRONUTRIENT AND DRUG SUPPLIES TO INDENGENOUS NGOS THROUGHOUT INDIA:
OPEN already possesses a properly licensed warehouse suitable for warehousing drug supplies, and will make available sufficient space to store all commodities required under this proposed project.