This research project seeks to study the role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and simultaneously explore the various initiatives of the healthcare NGO SEARCH, which works to enhance healthcare access in rural India's resource-constrained areas in the Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra. SEARCH has been designing, implementing and managing effective healthcare services through CHWs. The CHWs trained by SEARCH under the Home-based Maternal and Newborn Child Care (HBMNC) program significantly reduced the infant mortality rate in the remote district by providing treatment to high-risk babies often birthed in dark rooms under uninhabitable conditions. The success of the HBMNC program has been emulated by state governments across India and countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and African countries.

Moreover, SEARCH has achieved its goals in all its programs through Community Health Workers. The programs include Muktipath – a social movement against alcohol and tobacco addiction, mobile medical unit services, life skill education, NIRMAN for youth education, and a program for chronic non-communicable disease control.

The proposed project is aimed at a thorough understanding of the role of CHWs in primary healthcare. The research also dives deep into understanding how SEARCH in Gadchiroli succeeded in promoting and delivering quality primary healthcare services in various programs such as new-born care and de-addiction, to rural areas through its community health workers. The research will also seek to understand what lessons other primary care providers can learn from the experience of SEARCH that they can implement in their respective communities.

Methodology

The research methodology encompassed qualitative analysis, stakeholder mapping, and semi-structured interviews to elucidate how SEARCH effectively delivers quality healthcare services through CHWs. Supported by primary data collected during a month-long study at SEARCH in July 2022 and multiple visits thereafter for further data collection.