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May - 25

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Sense of insecurity and fear engulf Kathan

Taba Ajum

KATHAN, May 24: The fear in eyes and sense of insecurity while living in their own land has to be seen to believe.

Outnumbered by the refugees, people of Kathan village in Lohit, live in constant fear and worst of all is the fact that they don’t have any one to bail them out.

The most provocative incident that took place recently in Kathan village was burning down of indigenous sacred place by them and establishment of new Chakma village instead.

As if that was not enough, all these days Chakmas had gone out of their way to tell the world that they are being victimized by local citizen of Arunachal.

But ground situation is quite different, it is Chakma refugees that are terrorizing indigenous Mishmi tribe.

Even as the state battles to deal with Chakma-Hajong refugees, All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) was petrified to sense the insecurity of the locals in their native land. In elongation of affected areas tour, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union team with the media group arrived at Kathan, a remote and sleepy yet resourceful village. In every nook and corner of this area one can feel the fear of terror wreaked by Chakma’s. Numerous tales of atrocities perpetrated by Chakma was shared by local’s resident to the AAPSU team.

Balijan Krisikro, ASM Chairperson, Wakro Block, said, “We had requested Chakmas many times not to damage our sacred place. But without heeding to our request they destroyed whole forest reserve area including the indigenous sacred place.” He added, “We appeal to the state government to come and save us from harassment by Chakma.

They are violating all laws and destroying reserve forest area which is the assets of state.”

Situation is deteriorating rapidly with Chakma’s disrespecting the law of this country. This attitude of Chakma has stunned both local resident and civil administrators too.

Taking note of this grim situation, AAPSU spokesperson cum chairman of Chakma-Hajong issue Tobom Dai has demanded that state cabinet along with Chief Minister should visit the affected area at the earliest possible before the crisis galvanize into a major crisis.

“Chakmas are challenging rule of this state by destroying reserve forest area and illegally encroaching land of tribal people. Government should immediately intervene and help local people,” says Tobom. AAPSU Vice President (protocol) cum Chakma –Hajong Issue Vice Chairman Nabam Tamar has asked government of Arunachal to clearly demarcate inter-district boundary. “Chakmas are taking advantage of confusion situation arising out of non demarcation of boundary between Lohit and Changlang district. Local people are complaining that state administration keep on transferring cases from one police station to other because of this situation.”

The local resident of Kathan area is so terrorized that they are now pinning their hope on government of Arunachal to bail them out from this pain and sadness.

All Mishmi Students Union president Ajan Pul said that government should immediately retrieve the lands of the Mishmis usurped by the Chakma refugees. They threatened to call a massive protest if the government do not heed to the demands of the indigenous citizens.

AAPSU leaders were accompanied by All Mishmi Students Union, All Tai-Khampti Singpho Students Union, Lohit District Students Union, Anjaw District Students Union and Wakro Circle Officer K Nyodu.

 

Arunachal police arrests suspected Chinese spy

Itanagar, May 24: A Chinese youth, suspected to be a spy, was apprehended from Digaru ghat in Sunpura sub-division of Lohit district on Tuesday last.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Lohit, Manik Gogoi told UNI that the youth was arrested while on way to Sunpura after crossing the Digaru River.

He was planning to catch a train from Sadiya to other parts of the country.

Guan Liang alias Gevin, who hails from Zhuma Diang village in Luohe city under Henan district of China, sneaked into Arunachal through Kibithoo in Anjaw district after crossing Tibet on foot.

It took around 70 days for the suspect to travel from China to Arunachal.

On interrogation, the youth disclosed that he left China on February 16 last and went to Tibet before entering India as Chinese police was searching him on charges of making anti-China comments.

A case has been registered at Sonpura police station and joint interrogation was being carried out by central SIB, SB and Army intelligence.

''He is fluent in English and Chinese besides being well versed in French,'' Gogoi said adding, the boy was undergoing graduation and was a good musician.

''Though we have not recovered any arms or objectionable documents from his possession, his attitude and way of conversation has cast doubt on him to be a spy,'' the DSP added. Liang, before leaving China, was working as a manager in a French restaurant in Beijing and also performing as a singer there, the DSP informed.

His songs with revolutionary blend and an email sent by him to Sanghai government describing atrocities and human rights violation by Chinese government invited ire from the latter who later ordered his arrest.

''Wife of the restaurant’s proprietor, who was a Chinese lady, asked Liang to have the country and later he came to his village but on advice of his father, fled from there too.

He travelled towards Tibet by bus and train, but had to leave the idea as police was on his trail and later decided to travel by foot through mountainous region to avoid arrest,'' Gogoi said.

From Kibithoo, the youth reached Tezu and came to Digaru Ghat and spent the night in a cooperative godwon. In the morning, when people saw him, they alarmed the police, who swung into action and arrested him.

''He is in police remand for eight days and we may extend it to fifteen days, if necessary to peel out the beans,'' the DSP added.

 

Angry Khandu refutes rumours of supporting PPA

ITANAGAR May 24: Refuting the rumours that Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu is backing the PPA for 4-Dirang (ST) A/C (Thembang Segment) for Zilla Parishad Member by-election, Khandu today made it amply clear that all such rumours are baseless and fabricated.

Adding further Khandu said that he had been devotedly working for the betterment of the party and in no way have engaged or will engage in anti party activities.

“There is no iota of truth in the allegations made against me”, Khandu emphatically said and challenged the people spreading the rumours  to prove the same.

A furious Khandu said that he would not tolerate such unhealthy rumours and allegation leveled against him.  

He also warned the opposition PPA leaders not to malign him by taking his name to further their own political interest and gain.

 

Restriction on Liquor shops and Snooker games

PASIGHAT, May 24: The Deputy Commissioner, East Siang District, Pasighat Onit Panyang has imposed certain restriction on Liquor shops and Snooker parlours in and around Pasighat town.

Panyang announced this at a meeting of administrative and police Officers along with all the license holders of IMFL shops and Snooker parlours here.

He held rampant IMFL and Snooker parlour responsible for increasing crime rate, law and order problem in the district.

He said that legal action would be taken against those who violate the rules.

The SSP D. C. Shrivastava, while addressing the gathering informed that during surprise checking many of the shops were found violating the timing as fixed by the local administration.

Shrivastava instructed all the salesman and Snooker player not to sell and play beyond 7 P.M.

The SSP also prohibited the Liquor shops not to sell any brand of liquor to any teenage boys and girls. He further asked them to get their license renewed on time and display the license on wall to avoid legal action. (DIPRO)

 

DA thanks MWS for timely help

ANINI, May 24: Deputy Commissioner, Tayor Jempen has expressed his deep gratitude to the first lady, Anupama Singh, who heads the Muskan Welfare Society for dispatching a consignment of medicines to the disaster stricken people of Dibang Valley.

Jempen in his acknowledgement letter said in such juncture of natural calamity, the MWS had realised the pain and sufferings of the people, who provided 60 (Sixty) categories of life saving medicines to the District Medical Department through the District Administration.

Terming it as commendable act, DC informed that the fury of nature caused havoc and crumbled the district by disconnecting the entire district from the rest of the state since last two months. With the washing out of Amboli bailey bridges over Dri river has brought human movement as well as ferrying of essential commodities to a total halt, Jempen said adding that it culminated in a chronic shortage of all kinds of essential items.

 

Differing stands on Lower Siang Project

PASIGHAT, May 24: The senior citizens of Pasighat in a meeting held at Siang Guest House on 23rd May last advised the people of Pongging, Sili, Jeru and Bodak to allow the survey and investigation works by JP Ltd for the Lower Siang Dam at the proposed site near Pongging.

The meeting was presided over by the DC Onit Panyang and the SSP D.C. Srivastava IPS was also attended.

Senior citizens Oshong Ering, Tani Ering, Mading Tayeng, Pabi Jerang, Ajuk Tayeng, Ogam Apum, Rerin Yirang, Oying Moyong, Onyok Tamuk, Tamat Gamo, Tabung Ering, Tobuk Dai, PR members, representatives of various NGOs and affected villages took part in the meeting.

All speakers advised the people to allow the survey/ investigation works for the greater interest and development of the nearby locations. They added that it was not the right time to claim compensation, relief and rehabilitation before the real construction gets underway.  The District Magistrate Panyang cautioned Anti-Dam people and stated that serious action would be taken as per law if any one obstructs the survey/construction or disturb law & order situation.

Earlier, the SSP D.C. Srivastava urged the people to cooperate with the police authority to tackle the problems as he outlined the latest law and order situation of the district.

On the other hand, Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU), Rajiv Gandhi University has called on the government not to impose the Lower Siang project on the people of the area. It said that when the people are not willing for the project, government should not impose it on them.

It further termed the proposed public hearing scheduled for May 30, 31 and June 1 at Pesing, Pangin and jeying respectively as illegitimate and unconstitutional as it violates the “Environmental Impact Assessment” (EIA), 2006 notification. The project further has no mandatory clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Govt. of India, it said. The Project developer Jaypee should apply for fresh process under EIA notification for a revised project since the project is elevated from 2025 to 2700 MW, it said.

 

Zila chairperson demands action to mitigate problems of Diang Valley

ITANAGAR, May 24: The flood affected areas of Dibang Valley district, especially Etalin, Maliney and Arzoo are battling acute shortage of essential commodities due to disruption in road communication since last month.

Essential commodities like rice, kerosene, salt and other edible items were in short supply for the last one month causing hardships to the people, Empi Meya, Chairperson Dibang Valley Zilla Parishad, in a memorandum to the chief minister, said. He urged the chief minister to instruct department concerned to take immediate step to airdrop ration items at Etalin and Arzoo circle headquarters once in a week to mitigate sufferings of the people thereby bringing normalcy to the area.

Following floods, there have been also reports of spreading waterborne diseases. So far four to five people are reported to have died after the flood, the memorandum claimed. But non-availability of life saving drugs in the district hospitals and other PHCs has made doctors handicapped to contain such diseases. Further, the intake point of 500 kw Aliney Ph-II microhydel project, which was damaged by landslide, also needs major repairing to restore power supply, the memorandum said, and urged the chief minister for granting contingency fund for repairing it.

The memorandum, meanwhile, expressed resentment over absenteeism of officers and officials posted at district headquarter and also over their applications seeking leave on flimsy ground since the flood occurred.

Let’s nurture the seed of unity

 

Dear Editor,

Apropos your news item captioned, "Organization launches scathing attack on MLAs", I would like to put up my personal view that corruption in many forms exists everywhere, whether it is the workplace, the assembly house, the government office, the shopping malls. Forming associations with the only motive to curtail and curb corruptions by any group of professionals (in this case, the Nyishi MLAs) is an honest step, but the fact remains to be taken into account that when these good Samaritans in the garb of humble associations of few members try committing the same mistakes of intimidations and corruptions, who on this earth is there to counter them, check them and streamline them? Formations of unions, associations, forums are fundamentally approved only when the motive is known to be humanitarian, social. Nobody has the right to bargain either to form an organisation or not to form.

The ANSU and the NES are known organisations, committed to do justice and bring to the end the disparity that exists in the Nyishi society. ANSU is a students' forum and the NES, better known as the apex social forum, limits its activities to social reformations with all sense of maturity, socially, politically, educationally and above all economically.

So, NES and ANSU have been thought to be the only organisations by the Nyishi community till the hiccup spills over in the recent times over the formations of a dozen Nyishi centric organistions. These are but serious developments and may, in the long run prove stumbling blocks for the community development. Infightings based on numerous issued amongst these organisations are eminent, but who are instigating for the present confrontations amongst the brethrens is to be ascertained and punished.

Last but not the least, I reminisce the past of unity and oneness among the Nyishi people whether the one is from East Kameng, Upper Subansiri, Lower Subansiri, Kurung Kumey, Papum Pare or elsewhere. Good things are created to be adopted and not to throw away like a hot potato, as are being shown today. So many fertile seeds have been sown by the NES and ANSU and these seeds are being dampened on the instigations of outer forces for selfish motives.

Yours

Kada Tabu

Bhalukpong (on email)

 

 

 

Give us a chance to participate in conference

 

Dear Editor,

The proposed ALSSU conference-cum-election is not just a platform to elect the who’s who of the student’s body, for us it is a genuine platform to interact and promote the goodness of students. Moreover, some Lower Subansiri district students studying in Shillong are also eager to take part in the proposed election-cum-conference scheduled to be held on June 29 next.  They should not be deprived of participating in the election process.

Therefore, we, on behalf of the Lower Subansiri students, Shillong, request the conference cum election chairman of the ALSSU to reschedule the conference date so that it does not coincide with the date of the university examination in Meghalaya.

Yours,

M Tajum, Shillong Law College,

H Rakesh, Sikkim Manipal University, Shillong

 

 

Declare MPW interview results

 

Dear Editor,

I had appeared in the written interview for the posts of MPW on April 30 last. But delay in declaration of interview results creates concern.  Therefore, I request the director of health service to declare the result immediately on merit basis.

Yours,

Gangte Roi

Leel/Sangram Circle

Kurung Kumey

 

 

 

Boundary problems need amicable solution

 

Dear Editor,

Disruption in development activities in Assam-Arunachal boundary area is really a matter to ponder upon. It is the forest department of Assam which is continuously disrupting the development activities like electrification, road construction, running of school besides implementation of various other centrally sponsored schemes in boundary area.

One wonders how the authorities of other state are creating hurdle in development activities of its neighbouring state and harassing people who are residing in boundary area from time immemorial.

It is worth mentioning that people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have been maintaining cordial relations and peace. There is no negative attitude among the people living in both side of the boundary.  In fact, it is forest personnel of Assam and some non-reliable persons who create disruption in boundary area.

Therefore, I on behalf of the Denka Youth Welfare Association (DYWA) under Doimukh circle would like to appeal both the state Govts of Assam and Arunachal to declare Raj Ghar Ali as boundary line for peaceful existence of the people in boundary area.

I also support the demand of All Kimin Youth Welfare Association and request the authorities to look into the problems of Kimin people.

Yours,

Tajin Elya

Info & Publicity Secretary

DYWA

 

 

 

 

KBK, Bomdila organizes cultural integration prog.

BOMDILA, May 24: Troupes from Assam performed Bihu dance and other items in a cultural integration programme held at Nam Ghar, Bomdila yesterday.

Attending the function, circle officer Sang Khandu praised the organizer and said that such type of activities help people from both the states know each other’s culture well. Hariprasad Hazarika, team leader and chief secretary, Srimanta Sankardev Sangha, Assam highlighted the path shown by Srimanta Sankardev on cultural integration. He expressed happiness over public support and cooperation in its endeavour.

The programme was organized in collaboration with Kristi Bikash Kendra, Bomdila. DIPRO

 

AdiSU criticize proposed high-profile visit to Pangin

ITANAGAR, May 24: Adi Students’ Union (AdiSu) has criticised the proposed visit of the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues to Pangin-Boleng in East Siang district on May 28 next.

Questioning the necessity of such visit just  two-day ahead of the proposed public hearing on 2700 MW Lower Siang Hydro project and  proposals for construction of so many major dams, the Union  feared  that the proposed  visit might be an attempt of the Govt to manipulate the  public. The union said, it will never allow the intention of the high-profile visit to be successful.

 

1 hour power supply to contain chaos

Correspondent

ROING, May 24:  Taking serious note of the public grievances Lod Gambo SDO (Sadar) in the absence of DC immediately called an emergency meeting on May 21 last in order to find out prompt solution to power crisis by rotating an hourly supply of electricity to all feeders/villages of Lower Dibang Valley from Simari 200 KW generation.  

“We have decided to slash the so called VIP supply in day time and are distributing equally to every consumer of the district for an hour continuing the evening feeder as usual”, revealed Jitu Miri AE (E) Roing sub-division.  Expressing concern over the gross misuse of VIP supply,  Miri said that streamlining is need of the hour to check the seepage shortly.

It is worth mentioning here that annoyed by the alleged ‘inordinate distribution of VIP power supply at the township’, a group of citizens resorted to protest demanding close down of supply line completely.  “In the name of VIP, some 70% of the citizens are getting the benefit.  If the authority does not act and check this misappropriation then every one of us should be allowed to avail the facility or else it has to stop completely”, one of the citizens said.

The Roing town has been facing acute shortage of power supply due to heavy breach at the 750 KW Deopani plant on April 18.

 

Taku inspects ongoing works at  Seppa

SEPPA, May 24:  Town MLA Tapuk Taku today inspected drainage system of whole town under District Rural Development Agency (DUDA) and special package under PWD for the widening of township for the beautification of Seppa town.

After inspecting the work site, Taku directed the officer concerned to utilize the fund in a proper way and also appealed the people of the district to cooperate the department for the smooth completion of the work. He further urged district administration to cooperate with the executing agency in handling the hindrances likely to be caused by the owners of the permanent structures. Because of beautification of the township, many permanent structures were dismantled and many more is to follow including tree along the road side.  

He lauded the Chief Minister, Dorjee Khandu for granting additional fund meant for the widening of the township road.

DPO Vijay Sonam, UPO (DUDA) Vijay Azad Tajo and Assistant Engineer, PWD Sunil Degio accompanied the MLA. (DIPRO)

 

Pentecostal Day celebrated

Seppa, May 24:  Along with the rest world the Pentecostal day -Cum-healing program was celebrated at Christian prayer center Karwa about 20 Km away from Seppa town.

The three days celebration which started on May 21 ended yesterday where MLA Tapuk Taku and former AAPSU speaker Norbu Sonam were invited as Chief Guest and Guest of honor respectively.

Rev. Tinu Sangba from Nagaland and Evan. Sangam Flago were the speakers of the occasion.

While addressing the believers Taku appealed the believers to cooperate in the beautification of the Seppa town. He asked the believers not to discriminate people on the basis of religion while also advising them not to condemn other religions.

Sonam asked the people not to mix region and politics while adding that religion should not be misused for the political mileage. (DIPRO)

 

DC gets support

ITANAGAR, May 24: All East Kameng Students’ Union (AEKSU) extended its supports to the Deputy Commissioner, East Kameng for initiating beautification of Seppa Township and Road widening works in the area.

 

Hunting and fishing banned

ITANAGAR, May 24: Jote Panchayat Youth Welfare Association (JPYWA) has prohibited hunting and fishing in their area from May 16 last.

The association further said that  it has also prohibited selling of land to the outsiders, commercialization of bamboo shoots, other natural resources especially cane, toko pata and put some restriction to outside visitors to the Panchayat area.

Violators of ban on hunting and fishing will be imposed heavy penalty, the Association added.

 

Union demands action

ITANAGAR, May 24: All Yachuli Students’ Union (AYSU), in a letter to Yachuli additional deputy commissioner claimed that both the sub-divisional and divisional offices of Yazali PWD were locked up by some miscreants on May 19 last.

While demanding immediate arrest of the miscreants, AYSU said that such kind of acts of vandalism serves no purpose but hampers development.

It also appealed to the ADC to conduct an official inquiry into fund allotted against Job to Silsango road under NLCPR and the approach road to KVK, Yachuli.

 

Public private partnership in health care services in India

Dr D Padung

State Nodal Officer (NRHM)

Background

Partnership with the private sector has emerged as a new avenue of reforms, in part due to growing realization that, given their respective strengths and weaknesses, neither the public sector nor the private sector alone can operate in the best interest of the health system. There is also a growing belief that public and private sectors in health can potentially gain from one another. Involvement of the private sector is, in part, linked to the wider belief that public sector bureaucracies are inefficient and unresponsive and that market mechanisms will promote efficiency and ensure cost effective, good quality services. Another perspective on this debate is linked to the notion that the public sector must reorient its dual role of financing and   provision of services because of its increasing inability on both fronts. Under partnerships, public and private sectors can play innovative roles in financing and providing health care services.

Collaborating with the private sector and fostering a partnership for providing health services to the underserved sections of the population are particularly critical in the Indian context. Due to the deficiencies in the public sector health systems, the poor in India are forced to seek services from the private sector, often borrowing to pay for them. India has one of the world s highest levels of private out-of-pocket financing (87 percent estimated in World Bank 2001). Out-of-pocket expense at the point of service use is about 85 percent. Such a mode of financing imposes debilitating effects on the poor thereby hospitalization or chronic illnesses often lead to liquidation of assets or indebtedness. It is estimated that more than 40% of hospitalized people borrow money or sell assets to cover expenses, and 35% of hospitalized Indians fall below the poverty line because of hospital expenses. Out-of-pocket medical costs alone may push about 2.2% of the population below poverty line in one year.

The inequities in the health system are further aggravated by the fact that public spending on health has remained stagnant at around one percent of GDP (0.9%) compared to the global average of 5.5%. Yet even the public subsidy on health does not automatically benefit the poor. The poorest quintile of the population uses only one-tenth of the public (state) subsidies on health care while the richest quintile accesses 34 percent of the subsidies.

Private Sector in India

At independence, the private sector in India had only eight percent of health care facilities but recent estimates indicate that 93% of all hospitals, 64% of beds, 85% of doctors, 80% of outpatients and 57% of inpatients are in the private sector (World Bank 2001). Given the overwhelming presence of the private sector in health, various state governments in India have been exploring the option of involving the private sector and creating partnerships with it in order to meet the growing health care needs of the population.

The public and private sectors can potentially gain from one another in the form of resources, technology, knowledge and skills, management practices, cost efficiency and even a make over of their respective images. Partnerships are expected to ameliorate the resource constraints of the public sector by reducing investments in expensive tertiary care services.

What is Public Private Partnership?

Three fundamental themes constitute the definition. First, a relative sense of equality between the partners; second, there is mutual commitment to agreed objectives; and third, there is mutual benefit for the stakeholders involved in the partnership.

Partnership is therefore a collaborative effort and reciprocal relationship between two or more parties with clear terms and conditions, clearly defined partnership structures, and specified performance indicators for delivery of a set of health services in a stipulated time period. In other words, the core elements of a viable partnership are beneficence (joint gains), autonomy (of each partner), joint-ness (shared decision-making and accountability) and equity (fair returns in proportion to investment and effort).

Challenges in Partnership

The health system as a whole has common objectives of equity, efficiency, quality and accessibility, but may interpret the contents of these objectives differently. Generally, the motive of the government is to provide health services to all at minimum cost or free; it develops policies and programs to provide equity of access to such services.

Not-for-profit organizations have special concern for reaching the poor and the disadvantaged but, in many states, they account for less than one percent of all health facilities. Their sustenance depends on philanthropic donations or external funding. As a result their interventions remain ad hoc, and their up-scalability remains doubtful. But they provide good quality care, need little regulation or oversight from government, are able to attract dedicated staff, and cater to the needs of those otherwise excluded from mainstream health care. Moreover, they are also willing to undertake health care challenges that the for-profit sector is unwilling or unable to take on. Given their non-profit motives and grass-root level presence, NGOs can play useful oversight roles in the system. Their size and flexibility allows them to achieve notable successes where governments have failed.

Characteristics of Partnership

Despite differences, the public and private sectors constantly interact with one another. Partnerships are more useful when the net benefits of partnership exceed those of independent activities, and when the joint effort results in more efficient or effective services than independent action.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare presupposes that partnerships could help in ameliorating the problem of poor health services delivery at two levels: to improve delivery mechanisms and to increase mobilization of resources for health care. Other presumed benefits of partnerships are improvements in quality of services, reduced cost of care either due to competition or through economies of scale, redirecting the public resources to other areas, reduction in the duplication of services, adoption of best practices, targeted services to the poor and better self-regulation and accountability.

It is often observed that partnerships are formed between organizations but succeed because of individuals who are strong leaders and who champion the partnership projects with vision, energy and enthusiasm. It is important to emphasize that partnerships are no substitute for good governance and that partnership requires governmental leadership. There is a danger that, wherever governance is weak, partnerships could be projected as an automatic choice rather than improving governance. Partnerships work typically with one providing the financing and the other providing the services.

The enabling conditions for the success of a partnership:

• A clear understanding between the partners about mutual benefits

• A clear understanding of the responsibilities and obligations between the partners

• Strong community support

• Need for some catalyst to start the process of partnership

• Stability of the political (government) and legal climate (laws)

• Regulatory framework that is followed and enforced

• Capacity and expertise in designing and managing contracts (partnership)

• Appropriate organizational and management systems for partnerships

• Strong management information system

• Clarity on incentives and penalties

In many countries, legal and political considerations create obstacles for any partnership with the private commercial sector. Partnership with the private sector could be misconstrued as an attempt at privatization. Such fears about the private sector may have emerged from the perceived social image of the private sector as exploitative and having ulterior motives.

Contracting

Contracting is one of the dominant tools for engaging the private sector in health sector reforms across all types of public health systems throughout the world. Under contracting, the financing and provision (delivery) of health services are clearly delineated between the provider and the purchaser. The private providers receive a grant or budget amount from the government for delivering certain services that the latter used to deliver itself. The relationship between the government and the private sector is specified in a written agreement. There are several stages in a contracting process viz., a) decision to contract and the services to contract, b) tendering and selection of the contractor, c) contract design, d) implementation, e) monitoring the performance, and g) evaluating the implications of contract on the public health system. Other critical issues relate to the objectives and scope of the services to be delivered, costing of the services, performance specifications including quality and expected health outcomes, payment for the services, supervision, access or special privileges to the poor and target population, and the relative capacity of the partners in managing the partnership contract.

Equity and Accessibility

Partnership with the private sector presupposes that equity; accessibility and quality of care would be ensured to the targeted beneficiaries, i.e. the poor and deprived sections of the population.

Resource implications

One of the critical issues in PPP throughout the world is the timely release of grants or reimbursements to the private partner. At the core of this issue are the procedural requirements to get funds released. In some states the release of funds is timely whereas there are inordinate delays in others. The entire issue of timely release of payment appears to be a sensitive one, and the private partners underplayed their difficulties.

Autonomy

One of the cornerstones of partnership is the relative autonomy enjoyed by both the partners on day-to-day operations as well as in the overall management of the partnership. Autonomy is seen as non-intrusiveness by the public sector and the freedom of the private agency to take operational decisions without having to resort to cumbersome approvals or being constantly told to. In most of the projects the private partners are free to decide what additional services to offer, free to generate additional resources except through user-fees, and free to appoint staff and determine their service conditions.

Quality of services

One of the major gaps in partnership agreements has been a lack of specific conditions related to the quality of services to be delivered to the beneficiaries. In most of the projects, the importance of delivering quality services is stated, but not in specific terms. Although most partnership projects concern primary health care services, specific quality parameters have not been taken into account.

Risk-sharing

Another critical issue in PPP is the risk vulnerability of the partners. Perception of risk depends on two factors like the rule-bound behavior of the partners with strict disincentives for deviance and the notion of trust between the partners. The risks vary at different levels of health functionaries and are also based on the scope of services. At the policy level, the risks are rather political in nature. Popular sentiment (media, political parties, health action groups, staff unions, etc) may forestall the government from making overt gestures towards the private sector, especially the for-profit sector. This constraint is evident in the assumption that the private sector is primarily interested in making profits. Among the poor, the cognitive image of the private sector is that of an exploiter. In the current economic context of liberalization, where public sector commercial activities are slowly divested from the government control through disinvestment or privatization, there is a strong suspicion that the government may resort to similar steps in the health sector too.

At the operational level, the risks for both the partners are on many dimensions.

There are financial risks, performance and accountability risks, risk of confrontation between stakeholders and reputational risks for the private sector. Coordination between the stakeholders is another area of potential conflict. Differences in personalities and their respective styles could jeopardize the functioning of the partnership. Another notion of risk is whether the partnership is based on rule-bound behavior or on trust. A relevant hypothesis is whether partnership projects run higher risks if the partners are chosen through competitive tendering or through selectively negotiated agreements? Competitive processes cannot easily distinguish those who can perform better or more effectively from those who cannot. The partnership is then based purely on the terms and conditions that were agreed by the partner agencies, and therefore there is no prior intimacy between the partners. On the other hand, selecting partners on the basis of their prior track records could help in determining the effectiveness of the partners and in making a more judicious selection. Whether non-profit private agencies prefer trust-based partnerships with government or whether the for-profit private sector prefers competitive selection processes requires careful analysis.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Beneficiaries in all the partnership project sites viewed the services received by them in a positive manner, though often they are not aware of any partnership. In general, feedback from the beneficiaries has been that the services are better now than in the past.

Summary and Conclusion

Several researches suggests that states that experimented with partnership ideas before formalizing a policy seem to be more successful compared to those that promulgated a formal policy without experimentation. Policy pronouncements by government alone are not sufficient for PPP to succeed. Visionary leadership, social entrepreneurship and relationships based on trust between the stakeholders are equally important for successful partnerships.

Some of the most successful partnerships have been with private non-profit organizations and Lack of success in partnerships was often due to insufficient consultations with facility-level managers. Pre-negotiated partnerships seem to be more effective than competitive bidding.

Designing partnership (contract) agreements requires sufficient capacity-building measures and could develop these capacities locally. The approach towards pricing of tariffs for services (both in block grants or in case-based reimbursements) should be based on a standard calculation of competitive rates.

Policy innovations such as PPP are, of course, highly contextual. Partnership with the private sector is not a substitute for the provision of health services by the public sector. Also, PPP initiatives cannot be uniform across all the regions or suitable under all kinds of political and administrative dispensations. It is important to understand not only what services are to be provided under PPP but also to understand the basis on which such decisions are made.

Any policy initiatives to strengthen the flagging public sector health services would be welcome. But a government that fails to deliver quality social services due to lack of basic administrative capacity would not be able to contract services. The first step must be to improve basic administrative systems.

 

Medicine dispatched to Dambuk

Correspondent

ROING: The medical department of the district has managed to send medicines and staff in the Dambuk circle today to contain reported outbreak of diarrhea, vomiting and dysentery. The land-locked circle reported out break of diseases in the last few weeks.

When contacted Dr. M C Gogoi, District Surveillance Official informed that such diseases are quite imminent during and after flood. However, he denied any form of epidemic-like situation and said that there is no report of loss of life.

Pharmacist, health assistant and nursing assistant with adequate amount of medicines are now made available at the spot to monitor and treat the affected people. The entire task is being monitored by Dr. A Preme MO in charge CHC Dambuk.

 

Sarathi & Vahan

BOMDILA: The software Sarathi and Vahan developed by National Informatics Centre have been put in use for issue of Driving License and registration of vehicles at the office of the District Transport Officer. (DIPRO)

 

DPVB excels

ITANAGAR:  The students of Donyi-Polo Vidya Bhawan, Itanagar once again excelled in the AISSCE (Class XII) 2010 with massive pass per centage - 93% in Science, 98% in Commerce and 100% in Humanities streams.

The Management, Principal and the teaching faculties of the institution appreciated all the students who have made the institution proud and wished them a bright future.

Meanwhile, the students of Dr. BR Ambedkar Memorial Academy, Itanagar achieved 80% success. Seven students scored 1st division with star marks.

 

Association appeals

ITANAGAR: All Arunachal Pradesh Orphan Students’ Welfare Association (AAPOSWA) has taken up a new projects for the welfare and benefits of the Orphan and destitute of the state.

It claimed that the association has accured a plot of land measuring about two acres near Holongi on lease basis for establishment of a school to cater to the needs of Orphans. However, the association is facing financial problems and appealed the people to cooperate with the association for establishment of the school, release said.

 

Medical camp

ITANAGAR, May 24: Arunachal Christian Revival Youth Association (ACRYA) Sub-Council Area-XI conducted a Free Medical Camp at Thrizino on May 21. Some 60 patients came up for the camp which was assisted by  Public Health Centre Unit (PHC), Thrizino.

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