NGO’s community healthcare screening covers over 14,000 people in its first phase in Gurugram and Pune

Non-profit organisation People to People Health Foundation (PPHF) recently concluded the first phase of its Project Pranaa. Under this year-long project, 135 screening camps and 44 awareness drives were held. A total of 8,738 adults were screened for non-communicable diseases, covering 14,071 individuals, a press release said.  

With the objective of strengthening community healthcare under the project, 107 healthcare workers were trained to use the ECG, screen for cervical cancer and were trained on cardiopulmonary resuscitation.  

Supported by the corporation Boston Scientific, PPHF is implementing project Pranaa in Gurugram and Pune, contributing to the National Programme for Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), under the Indian government’s 75/25 initiative on NCDs.  

Since NCDs are known to cause around 60% of deaths in the country they pose a challenge to India’s aim of achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision by 2047.  

PPHF chief executive officer Laxmikant Palo said, “PPHF remains committed to work together with the health system and private sectors on mobilising communities through regular awareness, training and screening programmes in tackling the rising burden of non-communicable diseases. We apply a collaborative, integrated, transdisciplinary approach that bridges the existing operational gaps in NCD programming.” 

Pranaa introduced the public-private partnership venture to bridge the gap between diagnosis and specialised care. Private diagnostic facilities and specialists were empanelled to ensure quality, accessible services. Women wellness camps were held to promote cancer screenings and tackle unmet healthcare needs.  

Such initiatives saved time, reduced costs, and provided quality care to underserved populations, Dr. Palo said. 

Boston Scientific’s vice president, APAC growth markets, Madan R. Krishnan said the company’s support for PPHF’s initiatives such as Project Pranaa reflected its mission to improve the health of patients around the world and align with India’s vision of accessible healthcare by 2047. 

Some of the recommendations by Pranaa include strengthening prevention and early detection through policies on tobacco control, sugary drink taxes, and front-of-pack labelling; enhancing community engagement and awareness through campaigns and patient support groups; upgrading healthcare infrastructure with telemedicine and mobile units; establishing a national NCD task force to drive innovative financing mechanisms; and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration among stakeholders.