Networking between community health programs: a case study outlining the effectiveness, barriers and enablers

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Network Analysis
• Health Systems Research

Background:

• India has seen a rise in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing primary healthcare since the 1990s.
• This has created a complex interface between NGOs and government, challenging individual NGOs.
• The Uttarakhand Cluster initiative aimed to link small community health programs to enhance NGO capacity and healthcare access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the barriers and facilitators of linking NGOs through a cluster approach.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of this clustering strategy in improving community health.

Main Methods:

• Employed interviews, indicator surveys, and participant observation.
• Documented the process of network formation and explored enablers, barriers, and effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Key brokers and network players were crucial for bridging organizations within the Uttarakhand Cluster.
• Network cohesion was driven by shared faith, friendships, location, mission, and self-interest (funds, visibility, capacity building).
• Barriers included lack of funding, poor communication, limited time, human resources, risk aversion, and mistrust.

Conclusions:

• The clustering approach effectively increased resource access, collaboration, visibility, credibility, and confidence among member NGOs.
• Findings contribute to understanding social network formation and collaboration for health networks in India and developing countries.