AdEquAte: Advancing Equity In Decision Making

Duration of project
(2020 – 2022)

Advancing equity in decision making (Adequate) was a policy engagement project situated within the two ongoing India Alliance fellowship projects with grants from Wellcome Trust, India Alliance and Department of Biotechnology in Karnataka and Kerala. Towards Health Equity and Transformative Action on tribal health (THETA) project completed the health inequalities survey among the communities residing in and around forests in Chamarajanagar. The results highlighted the difference in the health status between Indigenous and other communities residing in the forested areas using quantifiable health indicators. The workshop discussed the results of the survey through engagement with multiple stakeholders towards identifying the knowledge gaps in the evidence and the need for identifying the knowledge needs resulting in knowledge products. The IPH /THETA team provided technical support to design a new programme for funding with grants-in-aid under provision of Article 275(1) of Indian Constitution. 

Vision: Our vision for this project is for our research topics (tribal health and health equity) to move higher up the agenda of decision-making in our research sites, while also sharing lessons and tools that may enable systematic use of research knowledge in health policymaking elsewhere in India and other policy settings.

  • Increase the quantity, quality and relevance of interactions between researchers and policy-makers at district and state levels; 
  • Create outputs that facilitate the use of research for decision-making and policy design. 

 Key outcomes 

Following were the results of activities that happened as a result of consistent advocacy. One of the key outcomes has been allocation of funds from consolidated funds of India under ST sub plan article 275(1) this specified in the letter no 11015/01/2019-Grants(pt.) date 3 -2-2020.  

Tribal health cells in 9 medical colleges   

The Director, ST Welfare, Government of Karnataka in his letter PA VA KA NI/ BU U YO/CR-07-2020-21 Dated 30-07-2021 called for Establishment of Tribal Health Cell with a sanctioned budget of 12 lakhs/per annum  at the community medicine department of the concerned medical colleges after getting the approval from department of medical education. They have been able to get additional grants from the ministry of tribal affairs under the tribal sub plan. As a result Tribal health cells will be set up at the teaching medical colleges at Chamarajanagar, Mysore, Kodagu, Koppala, Shivamogga, Karwar, Raichur, Chikkamagaluru and Bellary.  The Purpose of this health cell shall be to conduct research, monitor programmes and policies as well as evaluate improvements in health care services and status of tribal population in the district where the medical college is located. 

A sustained technical assistance beyond adequate to the tribal welfare department.  

The Director,  Tribal Welfare Department in his letter No PA VA KA NI/ BU U YO/CR-07-2020-21 dated 16-12-2021, accepted the request from Institute of Public Health to take up capacity building of departments towards the establishment of Tribal Health Cell. Overall this process is to be non financial.    

Secured public financing for Adivasi health

The Director, Tribal welfare department in his letter no. PA VA KA NI/ BU U YO/CR-28-2020-21 dated 23-09-2021 called for construction of Dharmashalas as per the additional grants received from center towards improving health care access among Adivasi population. A total of 8 Dharamshalas to be constructed in 7 teaching medical colleges at a sum of rupees 60 lakhs and one dharamshala to be constructed at jayadeva hospital in Mysore at cost of rupees 200 lakhs. 

Tribal Health Navigator 

Tribal Health Navigator programme is for enhancing the Cultural Sensitivity in Delivering the Health Care Services to Adivasi Communities. This pilot programme has to be introduced in 5 districts, Chamarajanagar, Mysore, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

For Technical Report Click Here