Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), Bengaluru south campus under an Indian Council of Medical Research funded programme went on to empower women Self Help Groups (SHGS) in Koppal district, Karnataka on cervical cancer and reproductive health awareness. Workshops and refresher trainings were organised for one and a half years from May 2012 to October 2013 . Bangarpet taluk in Koppal district, was the intervention site for the study.

With Sustainability of Sensitizing Self Help Group to Reproductive Health via Empowerment and Engagement (SSSTREE) project intervention, thousands of women have so far benefited. IIHMR conducted a ‘Health Mela’ as part of the project where nearly 1,000 women were addressed through trainings on various reproductive health issues. Around 1,200 women SHGs were imparted knowledge on all aspects of women’s health.

Critical issues like awareness on cervical cancer were easily conveyed to them, which in turn will help keep a check on the incidence and treatment-seeking behaviour of them.

“The study was undertaken by IIHMR Bangalore as part of our research to improve the overall reproductive health in the community. It is truly commendable to see women from rural areas come ahead and talk about their problems with the research team. This is the first step towards improvement of lives, and generations to come,” Dr. Biranchi Jena, Director, IIHMR Bengaluru.

IIHMR will be soon undertaking a larger intervention project in other parts of the country also.

The Jaipur-based IIHMR is engaged in  improving healthcare through management research, education and training in India and South-East Asia Region. It works as a WHO Collaborating Centre for District Health Systems Based on Primary Healthcare for the last one and a half decades. The Post-graduate programme in Hospital and Health Management, Pharmaceutical Management and Rural Management are the unique programmes of IIHMR.

Under the Society of Indian Institute of Health Management Research, the IIHMR group has created four campuses all over India including Bengaluru campus which is operational since 2004.