<b>M. P. Voluntary Health Association</b><br><br>The year 2005-06 was very crucial for M.P.VHA as they were in the process to concretise their roadmap for another 5 years i.e. from 2006 to 2011. The effort made in the year was to fulfil their commitments and also to visualise and set the direction for future interventions.<br><br>The year started with the slight change in the approach. Rights based approach was given space in the entire process. Issues like Sex Determination and Female Foeticide, Violence Against Women, Tuberculosis Prevention and Control, direct intervention with HIV/AIDS infected – affected family, Maternal Mortality, Iodine Deficiency & Promotion of use of Iodised Salt, Tobacco Prevention etc. were addressed in campaign and advocacy mode including building the capacity of the network.<br><br>Intensive and conscious efforts were made to empower the youths and adolescents, for their better health and rights, including HIV/AIDS prevention and control. The process of information dissemination maintained its rhythm and current affairs were not allowed to die. The scheduled newsletters and publications have been brought and the old one has been updated and revised.<br><br>M.P. VHA which is known as a health network has also successfully addressed the issue of poverty and livelihood. Two innovative projects in difficult areas, like Shankargarh block of Surguja district (Chhattisgarh) and Khoj project in Maheshwar block of Khargone district have started brining visible results in the year. The team has gained experience and developed confidence to deal with Rural Development Programme in future. They have understood that poverty is not just extreme deprivation. It is equally about denial of basic human rights, to live with freedom and dignity and about lack of opportunity.<br><br>In addition to their current and newer undertakings, MPVHA have been fortunate enough to entertain a large number of visitors from outside NGOs, Consultants, to their queries etc. As most of them wanted to establish their headquarters/offices in the State capital – Bhopal, but had no access to any other congenial NGO, MPVHA staff was busy in catering to their needs with a spirit of friendly association.<br><br>This year two important studies were undertaken, namely “Status of Female Health Workers” and “Status of TB in Urban Slums of Indore”.