Medtronic Philanthropy Partners With Organizations In India To Improve Hypertension & Diabetes Care
Author(s): City Air NewsNew Delhi, November 19, 2015: Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) today announced that Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI) and the Health Institute for Mother and Child (MAMTA) have been selected by Medtronic Philanthropy...
cityairnews
Nov 19, 2015 10:30
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New Delhi, November 19, 2015: Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) today announced that Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI) and the Health Institute for Mother and Child (MAMTA) have been selected by Medtronic Philanthropy to implement “HealthRise India” demonstration projects in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
The three-year, community health access demonstration projects bring a novel approach to improve diabetes and heart disease diagnosis, management and control. The focus will be on underserved populations of people who cannot afford care, cannot physically access care, or have limited knowledge of their disease and/or their local health care system. Medtronic Philanthropy is funding the $1 million (USD) project.
A household-based community health assessment commissioned by Medtronic Philanthropy revealed that a high proportion of people in Shimla and Udaipur living with high blood pressure (63 – 70%) or diabetes (23%) have never been diagnosed.
In addition, the assessment found barriers to care for both patients and healthcare providers. For example, awareness levels of diabetes and hypertension in the general population are low, while health workers face a shortage of essential equipment such as blood pressure cuffs and glucometers.
Work begins this month, as HealthRise India partners bring unique expertise and services to strengthen models of chronic disease diagnosis and care, extending health care delivery into home-based settings.
• CHAI: In select blocks of Udaipur district in Rajasthan, CHAI will increase individual and community level awareness of heart disease and diabetes; strengthen the capacity of healthcare providers at the primary health facilities to screen, diagnose and treat; and advocate for policy changes that will prioritize and improve healthcare services for chronic diseases. CHAI will strengthen systems of care as well as existing referral pathways from primary to secondary and tertiary care in both public and private (including faith-based) sectors. Accredited Social Health Activists, or ASHAs, will be recruited, trained and paid to function within the community to form a self-sustaining, indigenous force to provide needed health services.
• MAMTA: In select blocks of Shimla district Himachal Pradesh, MAMTA will improve timely diagnosis and care for cardiovascular disease and diabetes within the existing public health systems. A communication package for patients and family care givers will include a mobile app, interactive voice response systems (IVRS) and “e-clinics” which will offer need-based services for disease literacy, lifestyle modification through self-empowerment and specialist consultation at patients’ homes. This blend of cost-effective and efficient ‘technology’ with ‘health and community’ systems will help make healthcare services more accessible, available and affordable.
“We believe access to quality healthcare is fundamental for all people around the world,” said Jacob A. Gayle, Ph.D, vice president, Medtronic Philanthropy. “We are committed to improve diagnosis and care around these deadly, debilitating and prevalent diseases. Medtronic Philanthropy is honored to be partnering with these two organizations, as they work to improve diagnosis and care by strengthening community health services and empowering people to care for themselves and others.”
HealthRise India is one of four HealthRise projects in the world supported by Medtronic Philanthropy and managed by Abt Associates and evaluated by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. As part of the company’s commitment to improve healthcare access and reduce the burden of chronic diseases worldwide, similar demonstration projects will be implemented in the United States, South Africa and Brazil.
Date:
Thursday, November 19, 2015
