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Enhancing meaningful and inclusive community participation

Community participation plays a pivotal role in improving the effectiveness and accountability of health systems. PATH is promoting community mobilization through robust community engagement initiatives. This includes institutionalizing community structures such as Jan Arogya Samitis and Mahila Arogya Samitis for participatory governance and collective action. We are also engaging with Resident Welfare Associations for inclusive planning for the non-poor urban population.

Publication date: May 2024

Available materials

    1. Brief: Strengthening Mahila Arogya Samitis–lessons from MP, India 713.1 KB PDF

      This brief highlights PATH’s pilot program aimed at reimagining the Mahila Arogya Samitis (MAS) in five cities within Madhya Pradesh under project Samagra. It emphasizes collaboration with city administration to enhance MAS effectiveness through various initiatives, focusing on robust community engagement and implementation strategies.

      The approach encompasses several key initiatives such as developing a handbook for MAS members, implementing a scoring and grading system, establishing reward and recognition mechanisms, developing and deploying digital tools to enhance MAS efficiency, organizing MAS sammelan (gatherings), and facilitating collaboration with academic institutions to strengthen resilience of these community structures.
    2. Brief: Empowering patients with support groups in urban areas 1.6 MB PDF

      This brief describes the growing need for psychosocial support in urban India due to the rise of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). It highlights the establishment of patient support groups to provide knowledge sharing, emotional support, and promote treatment adherence. These groups aim to improve health literacy, disease management, and overall health outcomes by fostering community engagement and collaboration among stakeholders.

    3. Success story: The journey of Mahila Arogya Samiti in addressing diabetes and hypertension 2.1 MB PDF

      This success story showcases a community–led initiative in Bokaro, Jharkhand, where the MAS emerged as a catalyst for change. It details how MAS members dedicated themselves to facilitating screening, prevention, and management of diabetes and hypertension through community awareness efforts.

      The success story also highlights PATH’s effort in strengthening community engagement and empowering MAS members with knowledge, and helping them understand their crucial role in promoting community well–being under Samagra project.
    4. Success story: Empowering anemia cure: A Jan Arogya Samiti’s journey in transforming health 1.4 MB PDF

      This success story illustrates the transformative journey of the Jan Arogya Samiti (JAS) in addressing the challenges of anemia in the urban slums of Juna Resala, Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

      It demonstrates how under Samagra, PATH’s support catalyzed JAS's efforts, including activating the committee and empowering its members through facilitated meetings. Additionally, it underscores advocacy efforts for essential supplies and equipment to ensure the administration of iron sucrose treatment within the Urban Health and Wellness Center for timely screening and detection of anemia cases, facilitating early intervention and improving outcomes.