Dr. Satyanarayana Ramanaik, Thematic Lead for Adolescent Health, gave a talk on “Empowering Voices, Transforming Lives: Community-Led Solutions in Public Health Interventions,” at a TEDx event organized independently by Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bengaluru on February 16.

He shared his initial experiences of working with sex workers in the Bagalkot district and people living with HIV/AIDS, to raise awareness about the disease. He talked about the valuable lessons he had learned from grassroots work, and how interacting with the children of sex workers inspired him to engage with adolescents through the Sphoorthi project.

In his concluding remarks, he emphasized the importance of focusing on the specific needs of the community, collaborating for empowerment through community organizations, tailoring solutions to local contexts, and giving power to the community by involving them in decision-making.