Welcome to Chinindia.org - .:Welcome to CHIN Website:.

	BACKGROUND

The Communication for Health India Network was earlier known as the Child Health Information Network. Prior to the formation of the network in 1998 (Phase I), the common thread linking the partners was the transcreating and publishing of the Child Health Dialogue in five regional languages in India. Since the publishing of this quarterly newsletter enjoyed a huge readership from diverse groups across India, it was decided to have an India Country office to coordinate the activities of CHIN. The partners in India welcomed this idea and thus the first meeting of CHIN was organised to give a formal shape to the network, clarify the roles of the individual partners and decide the strategies and activities of the network.

Since the aim of CHIN then was to increase access to practical and appropriate information about policies and practices leading to improved child health in India and South Asia, the project activities concentrated mainly on information dissemination, capacity building of the functionaries on communication and documentation thematic meeting on specific themes of immediate relevance on health issues.

International renowned consultants evaluated the Child Health Dialogue published in five languages and also the activities of the CHIN. An evaluation of CHIN activities provided new directions and ideas for innovative ways of developing effective communications for empowerment.

Towards the end of the project, the need to build the partner’s capacity in participatory communications, advocacy and empowerment was identified. Partners recognized the need to move from bio-medical approach of health promotion to a rights perspective, which recognizes the importance of poverty, discrimination and voice. CHIN partners already work with other groups apart from children and will draw on expertise gained in child health communications network can expand to address the issue throughout the life cycle approach.

Thus the network was renamed in the year 2001 as Communication for Health-India Network (CHIN) to encompass a wider concern for poverty and health issues and relevant communication approaches to address them. The Phase II activities were initiated from January 2002.

Working towards the common cause, the CHIN partners forge linkages between Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), generate synergy to deal with issues, promote an exchange of ideas and work out alternative strategies to attain “Health for All”.

	ROLE

As a consensus, it has been decided by the partners that the secretariat will keep rotating within partners. In CHIN phase I, Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI) was the CHIN secretariat during 1998-2001 and in CHIN phase II, CHETNA hosted the CHIN secretariat from January 2002 to March 2005. Since April 2005, Child In Need Institute (CINI) has been the coordinating secretariat of CHIN.

		CHIN SECRETARIAT'S ROLE

The CHIN secretariat would work as a focal point in India for communication and coordination of the project activities, facilitate information exchange between the partners, extend capacity building support wherever and whenever required, make exchange visits to partners to support their activities and to promote sharing and learning.

Click here to view the minutes of the Secretariat meet Sep 2006

		PARTNER'S ROLE

Each partner would implement the project activities at their field area, keep other partners informed about the activities, innovative approaches initiated by them in raising the voices of the vulnerable groups in India.


		CHETNA, meaning “awareness” in several Indian languages and an acronym for Centre for Health Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness, is a non-government support organisation based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat with a regional unit in Jaipur, Rajasthan. CHETNA’s mission is to contribute in the empowerment of disadvantaged women, adolescents and children to gain control over their own, their families’ and communities’ health.

		Child In Need Institute (CINI), a leading Non Government Organization of India founded in Kolkata in 1974 has been working to achieve sustainable development among poor communities living in the city of Kolkata, South 24 Parganas and surrounding areas. CINI’s mission is to contribute towards sustainable health and nutrition development for women and children in need.

	CMAI	In response to the love and command of Christ, CMAI’s mission is to serve the churches in India in its ministry of healing and to build a just and healthy society.

	RUHSA	Rural Unit of Health and Social Affairs (RUHSA), a department of Christian Medical College, Vellore was founded in 1977. RUHSA aims to provide health and development as a safety net for the poor of KV Kuppam Block, Vellore District, Tamilnadu.

		Healthlink Worldwide works in partnership with organizations in developing countries to improve the health and well-being of poor and vulnerable communities by strengthening the provision, use and impact of information. Healthlink Worldwide works with partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.