As the year draws to a close, we reflect on a period of growth, learning, and impactful initiatives at InOrder. This year has been an important one for us, marked by our unwavering commitment to improving health systems, fostering community empowerment, and driving evidence-based solutions for better health outcomes. Here, we share highlights from our journey in 2024 and offer a glimpse into our plans for the year ahead.
Advancing Health Systems through Participatory Approaches
At InOrder, our work is centered on strengthening health systems through participatory and inclusive methods. We believe that sustainable change comes from empowering communities to take an active role in shaping their healthcare environments. By engaging with local stakeholders, we ensure that our initiatives are not only relevant but also effective in addressing the unique challenges faced by underserved populations.
One such initiative this year was the launch of the project titled “Strengthening Primary Healthcare through Participatory Action Research in Northern Districts of Telangana”, funded by Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation, and supported by the Tata Trusts. This project exemplifies our participatory approach, fostering collaboration among community members, healthcare providers, and policymakers to co-create solutions tailored to local needs.
The project is a 14-month initiative aimed at improving healthcare outcomes for tribal communities in Northern Telangana. It is a collaboration between Affordable Quality Health (AQH), InOrder, the Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation (VCF), and Tata Trusts.
The project will analyze the impact of social, environmental, and financial factors on health outcomes and behavior among tribal communities and will employ Participatory Action Research (PAR), engaging communities directly in identifying healthcare needs and co-creating intervention models.
The first phase will focus on PAR research in Bhadradri Kothagudem and then extend to K.B. Asifabad, Mulugu, Mancherial, and Jayashankar Bhupalpally. The second phase will focus on the development and piloting of prototypes to address gaps in primary healthcare.
Through this project, we have deepened our focus on:
- Community Engagement: Building trust and fostering collaboration among communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
- Capacity Building: Equipping healthcare workers and community representatives with the tools and knowledge needed to drive long-term improvements.
- Evidence-Based Solutions: Conducting research and leveraging data to inform policies and practices that prioritize equitable healthcare.
Strengthening Health Literacy
Health literacy remains a cornerstone of our efforts. Empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to make informed health decisions is critical to improving overall well-being. Our initiatives in this domain emphasize creating accessible, culturally relevant resources and delivering education through innovative and community-centered approaches.
This year, we also strengthened our Health Literacy project in Chhattisgarh, focusing on developing culturally adapted materials, facilitating interactive workshops, and partnering with local organizations to extend our reach.
Chhattisgarh faces the dual challenge of tackling the rising prevalence of NCDs while also improving health literacy among its population, making this project a critical intervention in strengthening the region’s public health systems. The NCD Health Literacy Project in Chhattisgarh aims to empower individuals and communities in Chhattisgarh with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent, manage, and mitigate the impact of NCDs through a multifaceted approach encompassing educational workshops, community outreach programs, and capacity-building initiatives for healthcare professionals.
Key elements of our health literacy work include:
- Culturally Adapted Materials: Developing resources tailored to the linguistic and cultural needs of diverse populations.
- Interactive Learning: Facilitating workshops and sessions that encourage active participation and practical learning.
- Collaborative Partnerships: Working with local organizations to extend our reach and ensure sustainability.
Leading Cardiovascular Disease Dialogue in India
In 2024, InOrder played a significant role in the launch of the Asia-Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance, established in June 2023 to address cardiovascular health gaps in the region. Serving as the India convener of the Alliance, InOrder is spearheading the India chapter’s efforts. The Alliance, which includes a wide range of partners such as healthcare professionals, policymakers, and global health think tanks, aims to raise awareness and drive policy changes on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Asia-Pacific region.
InOrder hosted the Alliance’s first policy dialogue in India, titled “Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) Control – A Multistakeholder Dialogue,” at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on 8th August 2024. The roundtable brought together experts, researchers, and policymakers from India to discuss the state of CVD control, current challenges, and potential solutions for strengthening the country’s health systems to address this growing epidemic. This event was a key milestone in our ongoing commitment to improving cardiovascular health and advancing global dialogue on CVD control.
India’s rise in non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, is a critical issue, and InOrder’s leadership in the India CVD Country Chapter will align with the broader goals of the Asia-Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance. Through collaborative discussions and actionable solutions, we aim to contribute significantly to strengthening cardiovascular health systems across the region.
Advancing Health Informatics through Education
In 2024, we also announced the completion of the second Management Development Program in Health Informatics, in collaboration with ACCESS Health International and the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI). This four-month certificate program was a great success, with nominations received from healthcare professionals across various sectors, including organizations such as the George Institute for Global Health, National Institute of Nutrition, Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad, UNICEF, ICICI, and the Public Health Foundation of India.
The program provided a platform for insightful online discussions and interactive offline sessions, fostering a collaborative learning environment. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to building capacity and advancing health systems through the integration of technology and informatics.
We also signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE) and ACCESS Health International. This strategic collaboration aimed to advance research, capacity building, and knowledge dissemination in the fields of public health and healthcare innovation through new-age courses on design thinking and data analytics. Additionally, we will conduct teaching case studies focused on public health operations, service delivery innovations, and health literacy. Another key aspect of this collaboration is the exploration of opportunities to support scientific research and implementation.
The Road Ahead
As we step into 2025, we remain steadfast in our mission to create resilient and equitable health systems. Our work will continue to focus on addressing systemic gaps, fostering innovation, and amplifying the voices of the communities we serve. Key priorities for the coming year include:
- Engaging Community-Based Activities: Strengthening grassroots involvement to ensure solutions are co-designed and community-driven.
- Expanding Participatory Models: Broadening our approach to include diverse healthcare challenges and settings.
- Digital Transformation: Leveraging technology to enhance health literacy and bridge gaps in access to information.
- Policy Advocacy: Using insights from our fieldwork to advocate for policies that support sustainable and inclusive health systems.
- Strengthening Partnerships: Collaborating with stakeholders across sectors to maximize impact and ensure the scalability of our initiatives.
Gratitude and Commitment
We are deeply grateful to our partners, funders, and community stakeholders for their unwavering support throughout the year. Your collaboration and trust have been instrumental in driving our mission forward.
As we look to the future, we reaffirm our commitment to building healthier, more informed communities. Together, we can overcome challenges and create a world where quality healthcare is a reality for all.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to a new year filled with hope, progress, and impactful collaborations.