Tribal Health Initiative

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.

07/02/2026

The OT (r)evolution: We opened our primitive Operation Theatre in 1997 – at that time the nearest hospital doing surgical work was in Dharmapuri – 100kms away and even though our facilities were Stone Age, we managed to save a lot of lives. We just had a simple steel table, a 100W bulb and a World War 2 vintage EMO anesthesia machine which needed no oxygen, ( I used to joke to my anesthesia friends that the forest around provided us enough!). Our anesthetist at that time was Ravi, a mechanical engineer by training, while both of us operated by turns. In 2026, when we look back, just wondering how it all evolved – we now have the latest equipment and provide complicated surgical procedures at minimal cost – including spinal surgery (in pic – Spine Foundation). Difficult to grasp this (r)evolution.

01/02/2026

10/01/2026

25 Years and Growing: Yesterday we marked the 25th anniversary of Makkal Nalvazhvu Iyyakkam (People’s Health Movement) in Dharmapuri. What began many years ago with THI and a small circle of committed NGOs has now blossomed into a vibrant collective of more than 25 organizations working directly with communities on health.
This journey reminds us of a vital truth: hospitals—no matter how large or modern—cannot by themselves solve the health challenges of the poor and marginalized. Real progress comes only when people at the grassroots are actively involved, taking ownership of their health and shaping solutions together.

08/11/2025

Global recognition for the Sittilingi model of health care

The McGill School of Population and Global Health is pleased to announce that Drs. Lalitha Regi and Regi George have been named the 2025 co-recipients of the Paul Farmer Award for Global Health Equity. Based in Sittilingi Valley, Tamil Nadu, India, the couple has spent over three decades advancing h...