Tribal Health Initiative

21/07/2026

Porgai hits the world stage: Okay, this is huge for us. Porgai just showcased its work in IFAM, the International Folk Art Festival in Santa Fe and honestly? We're still a little starstruck. Craft groups don't get called up to something like this every day. It's basically the Olympics of handmade art, with artisans flying in from every corner of the globe to show off their work to collectors and art lovers who travel from everywhere just to be there. And it's not just booths and displays, there’s live music, spontaneous folk dancing, the whole festival buzzing with energy. Porgai got to be part of it. Our embroidery; the same intricate, hand-stitched garments our artisans have been perfecting for years, up on the world stage. Twenty years ago we started with two artisans. Just two. If you'd told us back then we'd end up on the world stage one day, we would roll our eyes in disbelief. Funny how far handmade thread can travel.

15/07/2026

Entering the 10th Year of the RSP: Last week, Sittilingi hosted another vigorous and fruitful Rural Sensitisation Programme (RSP) and, as it happens, this marks the tenth year of the initiative. What began in 2017 as a wisp of an idea, nursed along with more trepidation than confidence, has grown into something we're genuinely proud of; a model that opens a window for young doctors into rural health, showing them a side of India their tertiary-care medical colleges never do. This edition brought together 37 candidates from across South India, for three days of spirited debate, real learning, and just as much fun, games, and dancing. It was a celebration of learning in its own right, a world away from the rigid structure of formal medical education.

02/07/2026

Calling for applications for the 7th batch of Travel fellowship for young doctors. If you know any doctor who is passionate about rural health and would like to spend one year visiting and seeing first hand the health situation of our country and how organisations and people reach out to solve it; please forward and share this poster. Orclick the link - https://forms.gle/xoCiSnQPhCXUtRrt5 to apply. Applications close on July 31st

29/06/2026

Opening a New Chapter in Maternal Care: Last week, Honourable Justice Sundaresh of the Supreme Court inaugurated our newly renovated Labour Room, made possible through the generous support of Dr. Narmadha and the Help-In Foundation. With more tribal women choosing our hospital for deliveries, and as the referral centre for six surrounding PHCs, we needed expanded space and modern equipment. Today, the Labour Room is equipped with four advanced labour cots and a dedicated floor birthing space, honouring the preference of many mothers.
What makes our hospital unique is the freedom of choice: women decide the position most comfortable for them; lying down, squatting, or on all fours. Relatives, whether a husband or mother, are welcomed inside to provide emotional support during delivery. Our outcomes speak for themselves. Over the past three years, our primary Caesarean rate has remained at just 5–6%. This is far below the WHO’s recommended ceiling of 15%, and dramatically lower than the 50% rates common in city hospitals. We achieve this with meticulous antenatal care, compassionate attention, and masterly patience, ensuring that most women deliver naturally.
This renovated space is more than infrastructure; it is a symbol of dignity, choice, and community-centred care for tribal mothers

24/06/2026

Big news: our new packaging pilot has officially launched across 6 products! 🎉
This isn’t just a new look—it’s a step forward in how we connect with you:
• 🌍 Eco friendly materials for a lighter footprint
• ✨ Fresh design that stands out on the shelf
• 📖 Our story, told better through thoughtful details
• 📦 Convenience first: a standing pouch with ziplock
• 🥗 Transparency: clear ingredients & nutrition info where applicable
As we learn from this pilot, you’ll see both old and new packs in circulation until the transition is complete.
Your feedback has always shaped our journey—please keep sharing your thoughts as we take this next step together.
Thank you for being part of our story.

23/06/2026

read the article on Rural Sensitisation Program come out in Health Worker today - click Opening a Window: The Story of the Rural Sensitisation Program https://thehealthworker.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/opening-a-window-the-story-of-the-rural-sensitisation-program/
initiated first in Sittilingi

In 2017, on a bus journey in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, for a Medico Friends Circle meeting, I found myself in conversation with Dr. Anand Zachariah of CMC Vellore. What struck us both that day was the sight of young doctors — bright-eyed, restless, searching — drawn to this by a program called Nir...

01/06/2026

t's that time of the year again, young doctors!! 🌿
The 2026 Rural Sensitisation Program, RSP, at Sittilingi is here — and if you know a medical student or young doctor who's been wanting to do something meaningful, now's the time to nudge them!
For those who don't know the backstory: the Sittilingi RSP is the original — started right here in 2017, and since then it's inspired similar programs across the country. Many have copied it, but there's something special about coming to where it all began.
This year, the program is open only to the southern four states, so spots are limited and it's strictly first come, first serve. Don't sleep on this one.
📅 Applications open: June 1 – June 15
🏕️ RSP dates: July 10, 11 & 12
Spread the word — share this with anyone you think would love the experience. The kind of people who'll get the most out of this are the ones already asking questions like "is there more to medicine than hospitals?" — and yes, there very much is.
click the link to apply - https://forms.gle/KhzMi9j5Mv9wMfC37
Any doubts - call Karthika - 9655206903 or Sathvik - 8497897921

08/05/2026

National Recognition again: Tribal Health Initiative received the prestigious Yashraj Bharathi award 2026 for Innovation in Health Care from the Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee last Sunday. The award recognises THI’s interventions in food, farming, craft, women livelihoods and governance in shaping health care in the tribal areas. There is also a special mention of passing on this value to young medical students through the RSPs and Travel Fellowships. This award is dedicated to the tireless work done by the team and the people of Sittilingi who welcomed us to work with them as equals

29/04/2026

Travel Fellowship – Mid-Batch Reflection: The Travel Fellowship, supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, remains the only program of its kind in the country—perhaps even globally—where young doctors dedicate a year to immersing themselves in the realities of healthcare delivery in remote and underserved regions. Each fellow spends 2–3 months with organizations working in challenging circumstances, learning not only medicine but also resilience, empathy, and community engagement.
At the mid-Fellowship meet of the 6th batch, fellows came together with mentors to share experiences from the field. Their stories revealed the stark contrasts between urban healthcare and the struggles of tribal and rural communities—long journeys for basic care, reliance on untrained practitioners, and the daily fight against poverty and isolation. The impact is already visible: fellows are not just acquiring clinical skills, but developing a deeper commitment to equity and service. By confronting harsh realities early in their careers, they are being shaped into doctors who see healthcare as a moral responsibility, not just a profession. This Fellowship is more than a training program—it is a movement to build a generation of physicians who will choose to serve where they are needed most

13/04/2026

Communities Helping Each Other
The famous Sittilingi turmeric has just come in, and as always, SOFA finds itself anxious. Buyers typically arrive three months later, and by the time deals are finalized, products shipped, and payments made, nearly six months have passed. But farmers cannot wait that long—they need funds immediately to prepare the next crop. Traditionally, SOFA has struggled through this period, paying small advances and borrowing heavily until the buyers’ payments finally arrive.
This year, however, something remarkable happened. At last week’s meeting of women’s group leaders, the issue was discussed openly. Recognizing the challenge, the women—each with healthy savings in their bank accounts—agreed to lend SOFA the required money at bank interest. This allows SOFA to pay farmers right away, easing their burden and ensuring the cycle continues smoothly.
We never anticipated such generosity and foresight. Their willingness to support their own community, not just with words but with tangible action, is extraordinary. It is a rare and inspiring example of cooperation—one that shows how collective strength can solve problems that often seem insurmountable.