KHPT has been working with the Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka since August 2021 to implement the Graama Panchayath Arogya Amrutha Abhiyaana  (GPAAA), a  first-of-its-kind convergence initiative in the country to involve Gram Panchayath more proactively in addressing issues of public health  to ensure access for last mile communities. The program, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), covers initiatives in 2816 Gram Panchayats in 14 districts to reduce the burden of Tuberculosis (TB) and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs); increase vaccination rates among remote communities; address mental health issues through the Sahita Careline tele-mental health service, and prevent the incidence of child marriages.  For more information about GPAAA, click here.

In light of the increased screening and testing for TB and NCDs, as well as vaccination uptake in the implementation districts, the Government of Karnataka has made a provision in its annual budget to scale GPAAA  to all 31 districts in the state. KHPT will continue to provide technical support to the state as the program is expanded. The scale-up of the initiative state-wide was mentioned in an article in the Deccan Herald, which may be accessed here.