SIFPSA Goes Hi-Tech
Creativity at SIFPSA is not restricted to its strategy alone. The programme management is also innovative. This was evident on 5 September 2003 when SIFPSA management and staff from its 38 PMUs, implementing decentralized RCH plans, came face to face, for the first time, in a spectacular session of video conferencing. At the flick of a switch, the 38 districts spanning the entire state, were linked up with Lucknow for an interactive review, feedback and information sharing 'meeting' !
SIFPSA accessed National Informatic Centre’s high speed satellite based network called NICNET to obtain full motion video transmission connecting the conference facility at Lucknow with centres in districts. This enabled participants to interact, broadcast, share & collaborate seamlessly. Inspite of a storm, heavy rains and power failure in many districts of east UP, the connectivity, image quality and reception was of excellent quality. Video conferencing also saved the hassles involved in officers traveling to Lucknow from the field for themonthly meeting.

G	Mr. J. S. Deepak, Executive Director, SIFPSA & General Managers, in a Video conferencing session

Reviewing Performance
The video conferencing began with a welcome by the Executive Director to the larger SIFPSA family spread across the state. The ground rules were laid down and the review began in right earnest. The sterilization performance was discussed and the districts updated the status on RCH camps and efforts being made to bring CHCs and block PHCs to readiness for the on coming, post- monsoon, busy season.

Feedback and information sharing using video links	O

Ensuring quick solutions
The statewide routine immunization project, which commenced on 1 September, 2003 was discussed in depth. A brief presentation was made by GM (Public Sector). PMUs pointed out various difficulties being faced in the implementation by CMOs and sought clarifications. Problems being faced in hiring vehicles to transport ANMs were raised by a number of districts. Many issues were resolved on the basis of experience of those PMUs which had been able to fix them locally and shared their strategies. A number of decisions were taken on the spot by the Executive Director thereby short circuiting the need for lengthy correspondence and paper work. These included relaxing procedure for hiring vehicles and authorizing a simpler system for their repairs.
Activities related to private sector, marketing, training, and housekeeping were also discussed. The IEC division used this occasion to obtain the opinions of PMs on what they thought were major hurdles to sterilization acceptance. This feedback will be used in the design of the statewide sterlization campaign which is proposed to be launched in November 2003 .
The PMs were really excited at this new opportunity for interacting face to face with the Executive Director , GMs and programme staff at SIFPSA. In view of the enthusiasm and the unanimous feeling that video conferencing was a viable substitute for meetings, it has been decided to have it on a regular basis, and in future, also involve CMOs and DMs.
SIFPSA, in days to come will be in regular touch with its field formations in the districts using this efficient and cost effective medium. It is also planned to use video conferencing for orientation of project managers and field functionaries in new interventions and activities. Interactive training sessions with large networks like pradhans and anganwadi workers are also planned.