Community Health Care
Community Healthcare Program
Mahiti Trust’s Community Healthcare Program addresses critical health disparities in the Bhal region by empowering communities—especially women—with knowledge, skills, and access to quality care. Our approach combines grassroots leadership, systemic integration, and inclusive health governance to foster a resilient, community-owned healthcare ecosystem.
Strengthening Grassroots Health Systems
Since 1999, Mahiti Trust has been building a robust cadre of community health workers in 72 vulnerable villages across Gujarat’s coastal belt. Through comprehensive training programs, we have empowered:
130 Women Health Workers (WHWs) to deliver primary healthcare, health education, and community-based screenings.
105 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to provide safe and culturally sensitive maternal care.
Many of these women have transitioned into formal government roles as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi Workers, further strengthening local health systems. WHWs collaborate closely with Primary Health Centres (PHCs), sub-centres, and private providers to conduct health education sessions, mobile health camps, and reproductive health awareness drives. Their efforts have been instrumental in reducing maternal and child health risks in some of the region’s most underserved areas.
Community Participation and Health Governance
A core strength of Mahiti’s health model is community ownership. We have facilitated the formation and training of 116 Village Health and Sanitation Committees (VHSCs)—with over 70% women’s representation. These committees actively participate in:
Promoting maternal and child health.
Preventing waterborne illnesses and anaemia.
Liaising with government programs and local health service providers.
Additionally, we conduct skill-building workshops for ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers, and local committee members in Ahmedabad, Botad, and Bhavnagar districts—empowering grassroots stakeholders to serve as informed health advocates through targeted training, awareness generation, and ongoing handholding support.
HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Migrant Workers
Between 2009 and 2013, Mahiti Trust implemented a Targeted Intervention Program in collaboration with the Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS), aimed at addressing the health vulnerabilities of single male migrant workers in industrial zones such as Changodar and Sanand. A baseline study covering over 5,000 workers revealed high-risk behaviours in 65% of participants. In response, Mahiti launched a multi-pronged awareness campaign that included:
Free HIV testing and counselling,
ART linkages and medical referrals,
Condom distribution drives,
Street plays and peer outreach.