Research
IIHMR Bangalore
Ongoing Research Projects
Project Title
Strengthening 1st 1000 Days and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) in Urban Slums of Bangalore
Funding Agency
HCL Foundation (Uday)
Project Team
Dr. R Sarala (Project Lead),
Ms. Chandini (RO)
Duration
April 2024 - March 2025
Location
3 Urban Slums in Bangalore, Karnataka
About The Project
This program focused on underprivileged communities living in the urban slums of Bangalore in strengthening 1st 1000 days and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD). The program would 1) identify the gap and strengthen the 1st 1000 days for improved Maternal Child Health outcomes. 2) Enrol 25 children aged 6 months to 3 years in each creche (total 3 creches), provided nutritious snacks and early simulation for the overall development (Cognitive, Language, Physical, Social, and Emotional) of the child 3) Provide health literacy to parents of ECCD beneficiaries and community on 1st 1000 days viz., child growth and development, IYCF, Early Childhood Education, Food and Nutrition, WASH, Immunization, Family Planning, etc and also improve demand to seek healthcare from public health facilities/FLWs.Project Title
“360-degree assessment of the Ability and Quality of Community Health Officers for management of Common Health Conditions” – Development of tool for Evaluation
Funding Agency
National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), New Delhi
Project Team
Dr. Usha Manjunath (PI), Dr. Akash Prabhune (Co-PI), Dr. Subodh S Sateesh, Ms. P S Karpaga Priya, Dr. Sindhu Jagdish
Duration
August 2024 – April 2025
Location
Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
About The Project
Following the successful pilot testing of the assessment tools in Karnataka, the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) is extending the study to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The extension aims to validate the tools developed to maintain the original objectives while incorporating state-specific modifications to ensure the tool’s adaptability across different Indian regions. The primary objectives of this study are two folds: first, to develop a standardized tool to objectively assess the quality of Community Health Officers (CHOs) in managing common health conditions at Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs); and second, to pilot and validate an aptitude assessment tool for CHOs, evaluating their abilities across various functions at HWCs. The methodology will be guided by an input-process-output framework and will employ a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data. Data collection methods will include observations, record reviews, and personal interviews with patients, CHOs, ASHAs, ANMs, MPWs, and Medical Officers. The assessment tools will cover thematic areas such as General Infrastructure, Statutory Compliances, Clinical Quality and Documentation, Safety, Training, Inventory Management, and Clinical Governance. An online data collection application, similar to the NQAS assessment app, would be used for collecting assessment data.Project Title
Improve the Health Status of the Adult Population through Lifestyle and Nutrition: An Intervention Study in Thoothukudi District, Tamil NaduFunding Agency
HCL Foundation (Samuday)
Project Team
Dr. R Sarala (Project Lead), Mr. Madhavan (RO), Mr. John Paul Ms. Mythili Ganesan
Duration
Dec 2023 - Dec 2024
Location
Villathikulam and Pudur Taluks, Thoothukudi District, Tamilnadu
About The Project
The present study is conducted in Villathikulam and Pudur Taluks, Thoothukudi District, Tamilnadu. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), diabetes (men-25, women-22), hypertension (men-28, women-25), Alcohol (men-21.6), tobacco consumption (men- 18.5) is considerably high in Thoothukudi district compared to national average (DM -men (18), women (16), HPT- men (27), women (24), Alcohol (16,5) and Tobacco (29). Thus, intervention focusing on lifestyle modification for NCD control in the community is critical. The program aims to i) enhance the awareness and practice related to NCDs (hypertension and diabetes) risk behaviour viz., tobacco, alcohol consumption, physical exercise, and nutrition/balanced diet among adults ii) increase screening, treatment compliance, and follow-ups for NCDs, especially on Hypertension, Diabetics among adults and iii) assess and measure the outcome and impact of the program. Target beneficiaries of the program are the adults above 18 years.Project Title
Improved Services and Certification for 5 Public Health Centres in Thoothukudi District, TamilnaduFunding Agency
HCL Foundation (Samuday)
Project Team
Dr. R. Sarala (PI), Dr. Rajeshwari and Mr. Nithish (RO)
Duration
Feb 2024 - Jan 2025
Location
PHCs in Villathikulam and Pudur Taluks, Thoothukudi District, Tamilnadu
About The Project
Attaining NQAS certification signifies a commitment to adhering to nationally recognized standards and guidelines, demonstrating the PHC’s dedication to delivering high-quality and standardized care. However, despite economic progress, healthcare access remains uneven, particularly in remote and underserved rural areas. The healthcare landscape in Tamil Nadu reveals a certification status for 78 facilities, including 28 Primary Health Centers (PHCs), as per the NHSRC report. Notably, within the Thoothukudi district, only SDH Thoothukudi possesses National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification, emphasizing a crucial gap in standardized healthcare quality within the region. Against this backdrop, the program aims to i) conduct a comprehensive gap assessment aligned with NQAS guidelines ii) develop and facilitate the implementation of an effective action plan, providing preparation and support to the facility and iii) ensure end-to-end readiness of the facility for the national-level NQAS assessment.Project Title
- Digital Health Exemplars (DHE)
Funding Agency
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
Project Team
Dr. Sutapa B Neogi, Dr. Usha Manjunath, Dr. Anandhi Ramachandran Dr. Ratika Samtani, Dr. Akash Prabhune, Mr. Vinay Srihari, Ms. Karpaga Priya
Duration
Nov 2023 - Nov 2024
Location
Brazil, India, Israel, Ghana, Rwanda
About The Project
The overall study is led by a consortium of research partners with the Center for Global Digital Health Innovation (CGDHI) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and eHealth Lab Ethiopia at the University of Gondar leading the retrospective case studies. The World Bank Group is leading the prospective country learning, and McKinsey Health Institute is leading the Options Support. The India-specific work is led by the Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) in Delhi and Bangalore. The study aims to i) capture rigorous, practical evidence on what works, how, and why across a set of countries/States with varied contexts, trajectories, and levels of maturity ii) develop a better long-term vision for how to leverage digital health solutions/approaches and iii) build an ecosystem of actors who can support the application of that knowledge, including implementers, donors, technical assistance providers, and the private sector.Project Title
National Family Health Survey-6, Tripura
Funding Agency
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
Project Team
Dr Gyan Kashyap,
Dr Amita Mukhopadhyay,
Dr Pijush Kanti Khan,
Mr Sarthak Mohapatra
Mr Saheb Biswas
Duration
September 2023 – June 2024
Location
All the 8 districts in Tripura
About The Project
The Institute has been assigned as a field agency to survey the entire Tripura. IIHMR took up the fieldwork in two stages. The first stage of fieldwork consisted of mapping and listing of households in selected sample village (s)/urban block (s). This served as a frame for the selection of households for collecting information in prescribed survey schedules and in the second phase (main survey) across Tripura State. The fieldwork for mapping and listing in the State of Tripura was completed in November 2023 covering a total of 384 PSUs across the 8 districts of Tripura. Main survey is on-going and would be completed in July 2024Project Title
A Randomized Trial of Quadruple-Fortified Salt for
Anemia and Birth Defects Prevention in Southern India
Funding Agency
Cornell University, USA
Project Team
Dr Gyan Kashyap,
Mr Gowthamghosh
Duration
Oct 2023 - Dec 2025
Location
Madanapalle, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
About The Project
Cornell University is conducting a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of Quadruple-Fortified Salt (QFS; Iron, Iodine, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) in women (18-49 years) and their households in Southern India. Women 18 to 49 years who are not pregnant or lactating and reside within the catchment area of the community-based research site in Southern India are screened and invited to participate in the trial. IIHMR is supporting the randomized efficacy trial of QFS at the Madanapalle research field site in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. This involves recruiting enumerators, assisting with community-based recruitment, coordinating monthly salt interventions, and overseeing all field operations throughout the study phasesProject Title
Awareness, Utilisation and Socio-Economic Impact of PMBJP Kendra in the State of Karnataka (Collaboration with BNMIT and St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore)Funding Agency
ICSSR, New Delhi
Project Team
Dr. Neetha Mahadev, Dr. R. Sarala, Dr. Dr. Deepika Joshi Dr. Jyoti R Munavalli
Duration
Oct 2023 - July 2024
Location
Districts of Karnataka
About The Project
This research project undertakes evaluation of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in the state of Karnataka, aiming to discern the scheme’s efficacy, reach, and economic ramifications on a diverse array of stakeholders, including Kendra entrepreneurs, beneficiary households, and medical practitioners. By employing structured survey instruments, the study focuses on capturing an array of perspectives, thereby facilitating a multi-dimensional understanding of the PMBJP’s operational landscape and its overarching impact.Project Title
Gap Analysis and Full NABH Accreditation for Dr. Chandramma Dayand Sagar  Medical Institute for Education and Research (5th edition)
Funding Agency
Dr Chandramma Dayand Sagar Medical Institute for Education and Research
Project Team
Dr. Deepashree
Duration
January 2023 - July 2024
Location
Harohalli, Channapatna, Karnataka
About The Project
Dr. Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute of Medical Education and Research, Deverakaggalahalli, Kanakapura Road, Ramanagara Dt, Karnataka is planning for NABH accreditation and seeks consulting services to conduct complete NABH accreditation of the hospital involving analysis of the hospital setup, operations, and other practices to identify the gaps in the existing system and implement the complete NABH standards. IIHMR, Bangalore is providing consultancy services with the objective to strengthen the present operations to redesign the systems, train the staff on the latest Quality Management Practices and develop appropriate supervisory and monitoring mechanisms. The methodology adopted for this study is to institutionalize the NABH norms in the hospital.Project Title
Re-accreditation of Entry Level NABH accreditation for Vijayanagar HospitalFunding Agency
Vijayanagar Hospital, Bangalore
Project Team
Dr. Deepashree
Duration
Dec 2023 - August 2024
Location
Vijayanagar Hospital, Bangalore
About The Project
Vijayanagar Multispecialty is a 50 bedded hospital going for Re-Entry level NABH accreditation. IIHMR, Bangalore is providing consultancy services with the objective to strengthen the present operations to redesign the systems, train the staff on the latest Quality Management Practices and develop appropriate supervisory and monitoring mechanismsProject Title
Gap Analysis and Full NABH Accreditation for Mithra Multi Speciality Hospital (3rd Edition)
Funding Agency
Mithra Multi Speciality Hospital, Bangalore
Project Team
Dr. Deepashree
Duration
May 2023 - August 2024
Location
Mithra Multi Speciality Hospital, Bangalore