About Service NGOs (SNGOs)

NGOs with an established institutional base and delivery infrastructure are encouraged to complement the public health system in achieving the goals of the RCH programme. Any NGO that is engaged in directly providing integrated services in an area co-terminus to that of a CHC/ block PHC with 1, 00,000 population (approximately 100 villages or more) is called a Service NGO. Service NGOs are expected to provide a range of clinical services directly to the community for example, services for safe deliveries, neo-natal care, treatment of diarrhea and ARI, abortion and IUD services, RTI/STI etc. These services must reach out to male and female population in all age groups. In order to provide these services effectively, the applicant NGO must have appropriate staff, infrastructure such as clinic/hospital, ambulance, etc.

Non-clinical services could include documentation and surveillance of data, health data management, training of dais, village health committees, SHG leaders and micro credit groups, Panchayati Raj Institutions among others. The purpose of training, for example, training of Dai or training of Village Health Workers, will clearly be to improve the access and quality of clinical services. In order to impart these skills, the NGO must have the appropriate infrastructure base and a training centre/institute recognized by the government. A nonrecurring, one time grant can be provided to SNGOs for strengthening their existing infrastructure base, in case there is a requirement. Applicants for the SNGO scheme must have staff with demonstrated experience and skills, and credible referral linkages and network for providing outreach services.