The Reproductive and Child Health Alliance (RACHA) is a Cambodia based Non-Governmental Organization founded in 2003, which focuses on community health programming that improves the quality and utilization of local public health service provision. RACHA is highly regarded as an emergent authority on localised approaches to reproductive and child health issues and is well respected by the Royal Cambodian Government, donors and local partners. RACHA also works closely with international technical partners to field test innovations in state-of-the-art methods to address persistent challenges such as postpartum hemorrhage, micronutrient deficiencies, and access to health services by the rural poor.

The Reproductive and Child Health Alliance (RACHA) was established in 2003 as a local Non-Governmental Organization in Cambodia. Its creation was a consequence of a partnership formed by USAID/Cambodia of three Global Health Bureau projects, SEATS, BASICS and EngenderHealth (previously known as AVSC) which ran from 1996 to 2003. Since becoming an NGO, RACHA has expanded its program coverage areas from four to eight provinces, from seven to sixteen operational districts and from 94 to 164 health centers, covering 2,329 villages in 259 communes and serving an estimated population of more than 2 million. Core activities in maternal, newborn and child health and family planning have extended to include HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases (primarily tuberculosis and malaria).

RACHA 's vision is to be a leading and dynamic NGO which advances the health of the Cambodian people through sustainable, relevant, and responsive community-based health programs.

RACHA's longer term vision is to deepen its focus on improving access and demand, advocacy and mobilization, sustainability and innovation, and on how successful approaches may be scaled-up and replicated in a broader context.

RACHA's approach is three-fold: to increase coverage and access to local public health services, to improve the quality of these services, and to positively influence the health seeking behavior and health-related practices of rural communities to utilize public services and protect their health. RACHA works almost exclusively in support of the Ministry of Health's priorities and programs. It does not provide health services or operate health facilities but works through the MOH service network and its community links to translate MOH technical policy and program priorities into quality effective intervention programs in the field. RACHA increasingly works to influence national policy by bringing field tested practices and interventions to the attention of decision-makers, and advocating for their broader implementation.

RACHA's strategic plan for 2008-2012 is to improve the lives of individuals in Cambodia by focusing on priority areas that help to make reproductive, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS and related services:
     • Safe
     • Available
     • Accessible
     • Sustainable

RACHA's strategic focus is to:
     • center efforts primarily at the community level, with a special emphasis on gender and equity
     • implement activities which address the separate but interlinked elements of
          o Supply: provider skills, service delivery systems, quality assurance
          o Demand: appropriate health care seeking behavior and healthy family and community practices
          o Access: physical and financial – and the vital link between the two
     • achieve sustainability both through institutionalization in an appropriate entity and mechanisms for long-term financing

Geographical focus
Components 1 and 2 are nationwide in scope. RACHA actively participates in relevant Technical Working Groups, strategic planning and policy related activities with other agencies and MOH, to influence change and advocate for evidence-based practices. It will increasingly bring its demonstrated application of training methods and content for maternity service providers to bear on the development of an integrated nationwide approach.

Components 2 and 3 are implementing in five provinces:
     • Banteay Meanchey
     • Siem Reap
     • Koh Kong
     • Prey Veng
     • Pursat

The implementation focus is on health services management, quality service delivery, financial access to services, and community health promotion. These activities feed into RACHA's involvement at national level, serving as catalysts for change, and contributing to the attainment of the Millennium Developments Goals for Cambodia.

Partners
     • Key departments of the Ministry of Health (such as the National Maternal and Child Health Center (NMCHC) and the National Centre for Health Promotion)
     • Provincial and district health authorities (Provincial Health Departments, Operational Districts, Referral Hospitals and Health Centers)
     • Local community structures (such as the Village Health Support Groups and Commune Councils)
     • International organizations such as the International Life Sciences Institute
     • Global partnership projects such as ACCESS, BASICS and A2Z