New Delhi, May 19, 2023: Social enterprise Jivika Healthcare and IIT Delhi recently collaborated for a dissemination workshop on furthering conversations around equitable, qualitative, and inclusive healthcare service delivery in India. The workshop brought together experts from the healthcare industry that included government, private sector, non-government organizations, donor organizations, community-based organizations and the academia to discuss and showcase ideas, learnings, challenges and way forward for sustainable primary healthcare programs. The day long workshop was an eclectic mix of various events like panel discussions, expert views, book launch and photo exhibition.
The two panel discussions together sought to deliberate and find means for greater collaborations and partnerships for an equitable, qualitative, and inclusive healthcare service delivery in India. “Efficient collaborations for a sustainable impact” echoed in both panel discussions. The panelists included Dr M K Agarwal (CHAI), Dr Mangala Gomare (BMC, Mumbai), Dr Mainak Chatterjee (UNICEF), Dr Gunjan Taneja (BMGF), Dr Devendra Khandiat (BMGF), Dr Sachin Desai (Govt of Maharashtra), Dr Anuradha Jain (USAID), Dr Nirmalya Mukherjee (MANT), Prof Sanjay Dhir (IIT Delhi), Ms Arti Mishra, Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh (Public Health Expert) alongside Sangita More and Jignesh Patel (Jivika Healthcare).
During a panel discussion themed "Collaborations and Coalitions of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community-based Organizations (CBOs) for Sustainability and Impact," Professor Sanjay Dhir from DMS, IIT Delhi shared his valuable insights on the vital role of NGOs and CBOs in enhancing healthcare delivery in India. He underscored the significance of the "4Cs" - Coordination, Collaboration, Capability, and Connection in ensuring impactful and sustainable healthcare services. According to him, both internal and external coordination are crucial for the seamless functioning of organizations. Additionally, he emphasized that formal collaboration between entities must be directed towards achieving common goals. Professor Dhir's views were enlightening and shed new light on the importance of collaboration for improving healthcare delivery.
At the event, the DMS, IIT Delhi team also presented their groundbreaking research on the impact of Vaccine On Wheels, an initiative of Jivika Healthcare. Their findings showcased the significant positive influence of the initiative on the ground, aiming to provide a replicable model for government and private entities to ensure last-mile healthcare accessibility. The team's insightful presentation left the audience deeply impressed and inspired.
Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh, Public Health expert and Advisory Board Member of Jivika Healthcare said, ‘I am delighted to see such a diverse range of experts come together to discuss such a critical issue. The insights shared today by a wide range of stakeholders will help in designing and delivering high quality primary healthcare in the farthest corners of the country. The focus on equity, quality and inclusiveness is essential in ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing primary health care in India.”
Partner organization, Jivika Healthcare’s CEO, Mr. Jignesh Patel said, ‘We are delighted to have partnered with IIT Delhi to organize this important workshop aimed at promoting equitable and inclusive healthcare services across India. Our objective is to drive meaningful change by identifying innovative solutions to improve healthcare access in remote areas. The VaccineOnWheels initiative, spearheaded by Jivika Healthcare, has produced insightful findings that can serve as a blueprint for both organizations and donor groups seeking to make a measurable impact in the healthcare sector. We are proud to have contributed to this vital conversation and remain committed to advancing our mission of bringing quality healthcare services to all corners of our country.”
Participation from frontline workforce, academic institutions, grassroot level community-based organizations, research organizations, country-based development partners and donor organizations helped create a cohesive and holistic conversation among all stakeholders.
The event concluded with the launch of a book titled ‘Beyond Boundaries’ and a photo exhibition showcasing Jivika’s outstanding work towards inclusivity at the grassroot level. The exhibition became an instant hit among the attendees, who were thoroughly mesmerized by the poignant visuals and inspiring stories on display.
Jivika is a social enterprise aimed at taking healthcare from hospitals to homes and communities. The organization with its mobile medical services is delivering affordable healthcare at the grassroots level. Since its incorporation in 2019, Jivika Healthcare has served more than 2.7 million people in 40+ Districts and 7 States in India.
