SUSTAIN

To determine how we can sustain interventions beyond the funding cycle, when external support from an NGO will be limited due to end of funding support

Overview

The SUSTAIN project is a culmination of inputs from key decision makers at DHS-Goa who are keen to continue the delivery of depression care services beyond the research cycle (The IMPRESS project). The implementation project design is thus influenced directly from the partners and communities with whom we work closely. The focus of the project is on ‘transition’ i.e. how do we effectively plan an exit strategy or transitioning out (from a Sangath-public partnership programme to one that is run by the state government) over a year.

The focus is on institutionalising processes to facilitate sustaining of the programme.The research will take a systematic approach to decipher what components of IMPRESS are keen to continue (e.g., screening, follow up, etc) and how can they be adapted and implemented using the resources of the health system in Goa. On the other hand, the community volunteers have also shared ideas relating to institutionalising the intervention within existing programmes and in a digital format to support access to useful information about depression and services at the primary care. In this way, the interventions introduced as part of the IMPRESS programme will continue to benefit the larger community post the funding period.