Consultancy

The IIHFW consultancy team comprises of faculty members representing different functional areas and uses a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving. The objective of IIHFW consultancy is to provide professional services in the area of management of health and family welfare programs for improving service delivery at the grassroots level. Almost all members of faculty in the Institute are involved in consulting assignments as this gives them ample scope to experiment with new ideas and approaches to problem solving. This also enables the faculty to enrich their teaching inputs.

IIHFW renders consultancy services not only to the Commissionerate of Family Welfare, and several sub-departments of the Medical, Health like Directorate of Health, Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (APVVP), AP State Aids Control Society (APSACS), but also national and international clients such as Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), WHO, UNICEF, DfID, CARE, ICOMP, UNFPA, World Bank, etc.

The consultancy team works in close collaboration with policy makers, senior administrators, academicians from the client/sponsor organizations, and helps them take informed decisions with confidence and implement recommendations with due regard to dynamics of change. The consultancy team takes undue care to ensure quality of the deliverables. The research design that includes the over all framework, methodology, tools and instruments used is grounded on sound theoretical basis.

Data is gathered through primary as well as secondary sources, focus group discussions, PRA techniques, and stakeholder workshops. In case of primary data collection, due attention is paid while drawing the sampling plan, sampling method and sample size.

IIHFW adopts a systematic approach for taking up assignments. Assignments taken up are first studied in-dept to understand the problem. The relevant subject experts discuss the same in a consultative/participative mode and the issues of concern are highlighted and discussed with the client organization / sponsor. This is followed by submission of a detailed proposal outlining the scope of the assignment, methodology, timeline and budgetary outlay.

On obtaining the necessary authorization on mutually agreed terms, a letter of contract is signed with the client/sponsor, which clearly delineates the role-responsibilities of both the parties concerned.

The Project Leader/Principal Investigator takes full charge to plan and execute the assignment on hand in consultation with the members’ of the team as well as the client/sponsors.

 

Analysis of data, observations and findings from the study and recommendations constitute the report. Consistency and validity of the data collected and the results of analysis are verified using statistical tools. Submission of draft report is usually followed by a presentation to the client/sponsoring organization. Based on the feedback obtained and inputs of the client/sponsor, the report is finalized.

Some of the Consultancy Assignments handled by IIHFW Faculty:

Dr. M. Mohan Ram

 

  • Short-term Consultant to WHO assess changes in Nutrition Indicators and prepare a report on nutrition profile in South East Asia, August and October 1997.
  • Short-term Consultant to WHO to assist the South East Asian countries in finalizing the National Reproductive Health Profile and submit country specific reports on Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Thailand, July-September 1999
  • Temporary Advisor to WHO, Bangkok, Thailand for Evaluating the South East Asian Regional Training Course on Population and Reproductive Health Management, January 1999, January & October 2000, June 2001.
  • National Consultant under Sector Investment Program of the European Commission for the Study on "Strengthening and Improving National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi" January 20 to February 4, 2003.

Dr. K. Balasubramanian

  • Consultant to UNICEF for providing technical inputs for Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys undertaken by UNICEF in East and North-Eastern States of India, February-April, 2000.
  • Consultant to UNICEF for Multi Indicator Survey (MICS, 2002) March 2002.
  • Consultant to UNICEF for providing inputs in conducting Multiple Indicator Surveys in 10 districts of A.P. April 1 to May 22, 2002

Dr. G.V. Ramana Rao

  • Consultant, CARE – INDIA - provided technical inputs in Capacity Building of CARE Staff of Andhra Pradesh on Nutrition and Health, May-June, 2000.
  • Consultant for Hyderabad-based NGO- Parirakshana for training of combined Village Level Functionaries on Convergence of Community Activities July 2000.
  • Consultant, Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad on Policy Review -Rationalize use of Infrastructure under European Commission, Govt of A.P. Project, February - March, 2002.
  • Consultant, DFID to update and assess information linking health services, health outcomes, poverty and disadvantages of population - February 2003.

Dr. A. Saibaba

  • Provided Consultancy Services to Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad to direct a course on MDP on IEC for Senior Health Professionals of West Bengal, April 2000.

Dr. S. Ram Murthy

  • Information Manager, Centre for Development Studies, Andhra Pradesh Academy of Rural Development, Hyderabad - May 23 to December 12, 2002.

Dr. H.V.V. Murthy

  • Consultant, Pragna Research & Consultancy Services (PRCS), Hyderabad - Evaluation of Rural Development Programs under the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India, February-April, 2000.