On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 6:29 AM, Yusuf, Salim < > wrote:

Dear VK

Sumathy and I completely agree and we are keen to move as fast as we can .

We need a few things to be sorted out in Kerala to allow us to do the preparations at our end:

This includes :

1.Identification of the tablets .We are going ahead assuming that it is Lenovo and the programming is proceeding here
.

2.We need to finalize all details of the server( location, capabilities, programming , configuration etc in Kerala ).This is
urgent and needs to be done in Kerala.

If the govt will agree, we can use any approach that works ---including what we had for the pilot ---as long as we have
data transferred to PHRI every day---in fact few times a day ! .

I will give u a call over the weekend and Sumathy is working on the list of items to be done .

If the two things above are done , we can work hard to start the survey in early Jan and complete it in 3 to 5 months -
- as long as we can make sure that the key elements of data gathering and data checks of critical fields have been
verified . Despite all the pressures, it would not be wise to go into the field without the basics of the data collection
system being robust as we will not be able to make corrections mid project if we are required to do so.

I am happy that you can get 1000 workers --that will be terrific but all the more reason to get things right .

That means , even at a very conservative estimate of 4 households surveyed per day for 5 days per week , this means
we can enroll 20,000 households per week with 1000 workers ( or 80,000 people per week )..At that rate , we can
finish the project in 12 to 16 weeks ( assuming some interim delays for further training , etc ).That is why 4 to 5
months is very realistic if :
a) We get the data systems to be robust .

b) We train people well and repeat the training through out the period of data collection.

c) We have 1000 workers in the field.

d) You have a team of people who will supervise the field workers .

At our end , Sumathy and I can redeploy our stats, programming and other staff to support KIRAN and we will hrie
short term staff as well .

I fully agree that the subsample can be done later .

I will try to call u after I chat with Sumathy .

Your commitment and enthusiasm is infectious .

I too believe in the idea that "let the perfect not be the enemy of the possible " .

We will fully support you.

regards

Dr. Salim Yusuf, DPhil, FRCPC, FRSC, O.C.

Distinguished University Professor of Medicine, McMaster University
Executive Director, Population Health Research Institute
McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences
Chief Scientist, Hamilton Health Sciences
Heart and Stroke Foundation/Marion W. Burke Chair in Cardiovascular Disease

President, World Heart Federation

Tel:
Fax:

From: Vijayakumar K [ ]
Sent: October 29, 2016 9:07 AM
To: Yusuf, Salim; Rangarajan, Sumathy
Subject: completion of surveillance

Dear all,
In continuation of previous mail on completion of the work.

May be, you know there are no extreme winter in Kerala and the weather changes fast to extreme hot and hostile.

Considering the environment in kerala to thwart such a big work is easy.

There are forces that work against him.

We need to strategise our activity to suit the situation.

That is why, when u suggested mid december I agreed.

In management circles it is often stated that "excellence is an enemy of good".

Not a justification for mediocrity also..

There are trade offs.

Last time we started in 2012 November and hit the road by 2013 september.

We had programmes ready. Pilot(!) and Vanguard(!) finished. Still in 2016 October we want to perfect it......

This time started on June 2016 and ....

I just make and state my observations..

I feel, I am also involved in the process right from the start. Would like to complete it, at least this time even though i do
not have much personal stake.. except may be, some reputation or credibility.

Now, last two senior medical officers conference the survey is being discussed. I will expect the cloud will also develop
and get organised against it soon. Would prefer to get things done before it is ready to shower on us.

I will send the field test result mid next week.

Pl try to develop the software ASAP.

Once we hit the road, there could be a brief period of initiation ( whatever name u suggest) of one week or maximum two.
After which we may have to start the data collection in 3 or 4 districts simultaneously.

I plan to use over 1000 data collectors at one point of time. So that the whole data collection could be completed within 10
to 12 weeks time.

The subset, step two surveillance, can be taken up along with data correction subsequently.

If at all we are forced to stop the work in between we will end up with a reasonable good sample from 4 regions of the
state.

sincerely

VK