KHPT

We’re excited to share that Mallika Biddappa-Tharakan, Lead - Knowledge Management at KHPT, will be speaking at 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐣 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐰𝐚𝐝! Her session will explore how local communities, cultural practices, and unique contexts shape effective public health responses, particularly addressing the social determinants of health. Drawing from KHPT’s work across four thematic areas, Mallika will discuss: ✨ Approaches that empower communities to lead solutions. ✨ Tools and processes that amplify locally grounded perspectives. ✨ Stories of what worked in strengthening health systems from the grassroots. This session promises to shed light on how community-driven initiatives can transform public health systems to be inclusive, responsive, and sustainable. #khpt4change #SwarajSamvad2025 VAAGDHARA INDIA ClimateRISE Alliance

In rural Karnataka, Gender-based Violence (GBV) is not just an isolated issue—it’s a deeply ingrained part of everyday life for many adolescent girls. Cultural norms, patriarchy, and a lack of social accountability for perpetrators create an environment where violence is often tolerated or ignored. These norms shape the experiences of young girls, dictating how they respond to violence and what they are taught to accept as “normal.” Through a qualitative study with 24 adolescent girls and young women between the ages of 18-29, we examined the complex reality they face, seeking to understand their perspectives on GBV and the social forces that sustain it. By listening to their stories, we uncovered the roots of the problem and explored how we can design interventions that challenge these deeply entrenched beliefs and create safer futures for these girls. To read more about this critical issue and our research findings, click here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gMZ883eq #khpt4change #adolescenthealth #genderbasedviolence #research

🚨 Job Alert! We're currently hiring for the position of District Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. To Apply Click Here: https://lnkd.in/dje4TeN 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆, 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒖𝒔 𝒔𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖! #hiringnow #jobs #khpt4change

Adolescent Mental Health: Reflections from the Asia-Pacific Conference Recently, I had the privilege of representing KHPT’s Adolescent Health team at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Adolescent Mental Health, held from November 28 to 30 by the Manipal Institute of Management, MAHE, Manipal. Over three days, we had the opportunity to showcase our work, engage with experts, and learn from diverse perspectives on adolescent mental health. At the conference, we set up a stall to highlight our Adolescent Barefoot Counselling model, a grassroots approach addressing mental health challenges in rural communities. Three adolescent Barefoot Counsellors from Koppal joined us and shared their stories with confidence and authenticity. Their experiences resonated with many, drawing over 100 delegates to the stall. We also participated in a panel discussion and hosted a workshop titled “Barefoot Counselling.” The workshop began with a presentation on the need for mental health interventions in rural areas, followed by an Intimate Interactive Theatre performance. This powerful medium brought to life the challenges faced by adolescent girls and sparked meaningful discussions on community-based mental health solutions. This conference was not just a platform to share KHPT’s work but also an opportunity to learn. Hearing different perspectives from around the world strengthened my belief in the Barefoot Counselling model and its potential to be replicated beyond Karnataka. #KHPT

✨ A Step Forward in Mother-Newborn Care! ✨ The SNR District Hospital in Kolar has become home to one of South India’s first public health Mother-Newborn Care Units (MNCU), set up as part of the ICMR-supported Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC) project. This milestone initiative, guided by St. John’s Medical College Hospital and supported by KHPT, was inaugurated by the Honourable Deputy Commissioner of Kolar, Shri Akram Pasha, in the presence of key district officials. Premature and low birth weight babies (weighing below 2500 grams) face greater health risks and need specialized care to thrive. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)—a proven, cost-effective intervention involving skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding—has shown remarkable success in reducing infections, maintaining normal body temperature, and supporting growth and stability in these vulnerable babies. Unlike conventional Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), where mothers and babies are often separated, the MNCU fosters a holistic approach by keeping mothers and babies together from the start. This setup enables mothers to actively participate in their baby's care— breastfeeding and providing warmth through skin-to-skin contact—while recovering from childbirth with professional support. We are proud to contribute to this transformative initiative, bringing innovative and family-centered solutions to public health systems. #maternalhealth #newborncare #kangaroomothercare #publichealth Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) St Johns Research Institute Department of Health and Family Welfare Services - Govt. of Karnataka

📢 Request for Proposals: Media & Communication Services KHPT invites proposals from agencies, organizations, or institutions for Media & Communication services to complement our food fortification program across 7 states and NCR in India. 🗓 Submission Deadline: December 29, 2024 📄 Download the RFP document here: https://lnkd.in/dje4TeN #khpt4change #media #communication

"When he beats me, I feel he loves me more." These words from a woman I met early in my days at KHPT still echo in my mind. Back then, I worked closely with women sex workers (WSWs), addressing the deeply disturbing prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV). For many, such violence was not just accepted—it was perceived as an inherent part of life and love. We knew we had to act. Research linking violence to increased vulnerability to HIV made the need even more urgent. This led to the creation of the Community-led Crisis Response System, a model that would go on to inspire action globally. The idea was simple yet powerful: help women recognize and question violence. We introduced the Gulabi (Pink) Card, a tool to report IPV, driven by vibrant women leaders from the sex worker community. I’ll never forget the day I saw one of these leaders quietly ticking boxes on the card. When I asked, “Whose case are you reporting?” she replied, “Mine.” Even the strongest leaders carry hidden struggles and need support to heal before they can lift others. Today, as we address violence against women frontline health workers, this lesson feels more urgent than ever. Change begins when we create spaces for healing, empowerment, and action. #khpt4change #frontlineworkers #genderbasedviolence Breakthrough Trust Nayana Chowdhury

🚨 Job Alert! We're currently hiring for the position of State Implementation Lead. To Apply Click Here: https://lnkd.in/dje4TeN 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆, 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒖𝒔 𝒔𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖! #hiringnow #jobs #khpt4change

Recently, we trained 170 members of the Kavalu Samiti across 12 Gram Panchayats in Koppal and Yadgir districts. The training provided a comprehensive understanding of their roles in preventing violence against women and children, emphasizing the importance of local governance, legal frameworks, and participatory approaches. Through this initiative, we empowered participants, including panchayat development officers, frontline health workers, school teachers, adolescent boys and girls, beat police, and other community members, to take active roles in addressing key issues affecting women and children at the grassroots level. The Kavalu Samitis, established by the Government of Karnataka in 2019, aim to create a more effective committee structure at the Gram Panchayat level by merging three critical committees: the Committee to Prevent Trafficking in Women and Children, the Child Marriage Prevention and Coordination Committee, and the Child Protection Committee. #khpt4change #adolescenthealth #kavalusamitis Ashraya Hastha Trust

🚨 Job Alert! We're currently hiring for the position of Project Officer. To Apply Click Here: https://lnkd.in/dje4TeN 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆, 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒖𝒔 𝒔𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖! #hiringnow #jobs #khpt4change