Health policy analysis institutes: landscaping and learning from experience, India
India Case Study: The Institute of Health System (IHS), Hyderabad, India
The multi-national landscaping study of Health Policy Analysis Institutes supported by the Alliance HPSR and funded by the Rockefeller Foundation aims to achieve three goals: (i) mapping existing national and regional health policy analysis institutes and initiatives; (ii) deriving lessons about the different organizational models and factors that contribute to the effectiveness and sustainability of such institutes and (iii) making recommendations to the Rockefeller Foundation and other stakeholders about how best to support the development of health policy analysis institutes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
In India, the Institute of Health System (IHS), Hyderabad, was selected as a case study to illustrate these dynamics. It began operations in 1990 to link health system research inputs with government health services and overarching health sector reforms. This organic connection between the needs of the state health system, the involvement of civil servants and the IHS has shaped the development of the institute in last twenty years.
To understand the lessons, attitudes, and the role of IHS specifically - and health policy institutes more generally - a number of interviews were convened in this case-study. Four “types” of individuals were interviewed, including the institute’s clients; members of the IHS’ Board of Governors and Executive Council; the IHS’ Director; and IHS staff.
Findings:
The IHS has in last 20 years grown and found a strong niche for itself. Unlike many NGOs of late 1960s and of 1970s – which emerged from a strong critique of the government and the bureaucratization of services – the IHS is an NGO that has emerged from the needs of the government services and with the direct private initiative and involvement of civil servants. Although over the years it has remained under-funded and has had very few senior health researchers at any point in time, it might still play an important role in the state and national-level health policy arena. While the IHS has evidently maintained a fair amount of independence in its research endeavours, there are skeptics who feel that it must do more in order to set its own agenda and influence the state’s policy development. Indeed, as the IHS develops into a more stable and larger institution, it must pull together a critical mass of competent faculty with a strong and independent pro-people perspective.
Project description
Programme: Health policy analysis institutes: landscaping and learning from experience
Research title: India Case Study: The Institute of Health System (IHS), Hyderabad, India
Thematic Research Area: Evidence to Policy
Grantee Country: India
Grantee Institution: Anusandhan Trust
Program Coordinator/Principle Investigator:Dr Amar Jesani
Start date: July 2009
Status of grant: Completed (September 2010)