Impact India Foundation (IIF) was established to reduce disability through Cure and Prevention. By the
late 1990s the Lifeline Express Hospital Train, launched in 1991, was well set and on course to reverse
disability through Cure thanks to the restorative surgeries conducted in its Operation Theatre.
After its launch in 1983 IIF had undertaken immunization campaigns for children in Madras, Bombay &
Bhavnagar aimed at prevention of disability. IIF wished to build on its early experience to provide a
holistic programme focused on Prevention of disability in one District, given its positive impact in the
long run. Research agencies such as JSE Consultants and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai,
were commissioned to identify backward Districts in India. Districts in three States were identified:
Odisha, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Thane District In 2005
On realising that preventive health interventions could lead to the population’s holistic all-round improvement in health, and thereby minimise the chances of congenital disability - almost by default - IIF decided to re-name the programme "Community Health Initiative - CHI."
2005 to 2012
CHI - The First Phase - Eight Tribal Blocks of Thane District.
In February 2005, the CHI commenced in seven Tribal Blocks (Palghar, Dahanu, Talasari, Jawhar, Mokhada, Vikramgad & Wada). It was portrayed as a sustainable, replicable model conducted in partnership with the Government of Maharashtra, using existing delivery systems and available infrastructure, in support of the goals of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to establish a fully functional, community owned, integrated, health-delivery system.
As a first step to earn the confidence of the reclusive Tribal communities IIF began screening schoolchildren to identify cases of vision, hearing, orthopaedically impaired and cleft cases. Experts from Mumbai’s Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities Divyangjan, National Association for the Blind, All India Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation etc not only screened students but trained Teachers on how to identify vision and hearing loss.
Shankar Bhoir, Physically Challenged, Speaks For Impact. He Was Given Spectacles, Fitted With An Orthotics Arms And Gifted A Laptop. He Attended Regular School And Computer Classes See Success Story - Shankar Vilas Bhoir
IIF forged associations with partner hospitals in and around Palghar, Nasik, Mumbai for free and subsidised treatment of children with disabilities who were referred to them.
Child, Before & After Surgery And Walking Upright With The Support Of Orthotics
IIF arranged for Dental check-ups, through Mumbai’s Government Dental College & Hospital which assigned its equipped Dental Vans and Dentists to provide oral health & hygiene checks for school students, particularly in Ashramshalas (residential schools for Tribal children).
Dermatologists from JJ Hospital examined children for skin diseases, detected leprosy cases and prescribed treatment.
Dental Care
Typical Ashramshala
Expanding on the practice of screening for disability IIF introduced the idea of School Health Monitors, who, whilst working in groups of six or seven, would screen their peers noting dirty and uncut fingernails, unwashed hair, unclean uniforms and other unhygienic practices.
School Health Monitors Check For Cleanliness Of Fingernails And Overall Physical Hygiene
The project not only improved the condition of the students but raised awareness on the importance of good health & hygiene being vital for health.
From November 2006 to 2009 IIF deployed Five Lifeline Express Mobile Clinics (LLEMCs) to provide diagnostic services to the vision and hearing-impaired in schools and communities across rural Maharashtra. Free or subsidised treatment was provided at partner hospitals.
Children And The Community Line Up To Be Screened For Vision & Hearing On The LLE Mobile Clinic Impact India's Film, "Rainbow Of Hope" Depicts How The School Health Monitors Refer Vision And Hearing-Impaired Patients For Diagnostic Treatment On The Lifeline Express Mobile Clinics.
Patients Wearing Spectacles & Hearing Aids, Detected With Refractive Errors And Hearing Loss Through The Five Lifeline Express Mobile Clinics
Over 200,000 Persons Were Served By IIF’s 5 Mobile Clinics Across Maharashtra
The CHI’s expansion to an eighth Tribal Block - Shahapur - in July 2011 was at the specific request of the CEO, Thane Zilha Parishad. It was based on the 72% success achieved in the reduction of disability in the neighbouring seven Tribal Blocks through interventions in cure and prevention.
More interventions were introduced by IIF. They included:
Training of Government’s Frontline Workers on Maternal Health:
Anganwadi Workers & Auxiliary Nurse Midwives Were Trained On Ante Natal Care At Aghai Sub Centre, Shahapur Block By CHI Staff
Cultivation of Paras Baug (Kitchen Gardens) in Ashramshalas:
Ashramshala Children Grow A Bed Of Methi (Fenugreek) Leaves For Consumption To Improve Nutrition
Rain Water Harvesting:
At Dolhara, (Population Of 1600) Mokhada Block, Women Trekked Long Distances In Search Of Water. Village Resident, Parvatibai Jadhav, Died In A Rush To Collect Water From A Tanker. That Was The Tipping Point. Impact India Commenced Rain Water Harvesting Using The Local Community’s Shramdaan To Build Water Retention Structures.
Creating a tank bound by a sub-surface wall with vents (to be covered by flanges), not far from an existing well.
Result: Water Available For Agriculture
Solar Energy lights up rural homes:
Tribals In Karoli Village, Mokhada Receive Solar Kits.
Construction of Toilet Blocks and supply of Drinking water systems to Ashramshalas:
Khutal Ashramshala Gets A Water Storage Tank
By 2012 IIF had worked in eight Tribal Blocks of Thane District covering a population of nearly 2 million.
May 2012 to March 2016
CHI: The Second Phase – Parali Primary Health Centre, Wada Block
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2015-16 to 2020
CHI: The Third Phase set into motion the following projects
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2020 onwards
CHI The Fourth Phase
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