Operation Thrive

Operation Thrive

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Operation Thrive

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Photo of a santal tribal mother feeding her baby

Operation Thrive – An innovative community-based initiative in tribal areas of India to improve maternal and neonatal health

This project was implemented to increase the knowledge base and promote changes in social norms and behaviours pertaining to vaccination during pregnancy and the neonatal period among tribal communities in Purulia District, West Bengal, India, by proactively engaging the tribal women and girls. It focused on building their capacity in using community radio, podcasts, narrowcasts and videos produced by communities to bring about the desired changes. A series of training programmes were organised to capacitate propagators.
Educating tribal couples on Maternal health

Educating tribal couple on Maternal and Neonatal Health

This also led to the strong engagement of the tribal community in the form of discussion of the issues, problems, and solutions thereto in the village assemblies, demand for services by informing local health authorities and by persuading them to ensure the same and giving necessary space/room for health workers to provide care and propagate the health services availability. While these videos were shown in the traditional village assemblies, the community radio listening centres, installed in the 51 tribal villages, were the hubs of lively discussions and spaces for feedback from the community members.
Furthermore, audios (specially prepared for WhatsApp) and videos on ANC, institutional delivery, post-natal care, and immunization were produced for social media campaigns and regular live phone-in programmes were broadcast on maternal and child health including the importance of immunization.

In total, approximately 250,000 people were reached with the project.

The project has come up with audio and video content on maternal and child health in Santali, tribal language. This is especially relevant as there is hardly any production of similar material to generate awareness on maternal and child health including immunization among tribal people in their own language by governmental or state authorities.

Drama On Awareness During Pregnancy

Short Film On Maternal and Neonatal Health

Short Film On Maternal and Neonatal Health

Above are a few of the audio-visual materials we produced during the project period. You can check the complete playlist on MANT’s YouTube channel.

The project was successful in raising the issues of maternal and child health and vaccination in tribal village assemblies to resolve challenges and barriers related to antenatal and postnatal care, institutional delivery, neonatal health, and early immunisation. And for that, a strong partnership has been built with the ‘Council of the Five Elders’ Aatu-Marehar, a tribal decision-making body on the village level consisting of 5 individuals whose decisions are binding to the village population. It is hoped that the fruits of this partnership will be felt for years to come as the manifold issues relating to maternal and child health have been discussed with due importance and stress at various fora.

250,000 People Were Reached

Educating people on maternal and child health and vaccination in tribal village assemblies to resolve challenges and barriers related to antenatal and postnatal care, institutional delivery, neonatal health, and early immunization.

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Opening for Research Officer

About the Post:

Under the overall guidance of and direct supervision of the Director-CPHR, the Research Officer will be responsible for data analysis, training, data visualization, and high-quality research report generation. This role requires a strong analytical mindset and the ability to interpret complex data sets to derive meaningful insights. The Research Officer will also be expected to contribute to the design and implementation of research projects, ensuring the highest standards of scientific rigour. 

Apply on or before 25th July 2024.

Location:

Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Roles and responsibilities

He/She will be responsible for

  • Conduct thorough and detailed data analysis to support various research projects.
  • Clean and organize raw data for analysis.
  • Perform statistical analyses using tools such as R, Stata, or SPSS.
  • Create detailed reports and visualizations to communicate findings effectively.
  • Train team members on data handling and analysis techniques.
  • Ensure the team adheres to best practices in data management and analysis.
  • Write high-quality research reports contributing to the body of knowledge in public health and development.
  • Present findings to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner. 

Desired Qualifications:

Education:

  • Master’s degree in Economics or Statistics.
  • PhD is desirable.

Experience:

  • Demonstrated experience in using R, Stata, or SPSS is required.
  • Candidates with prior experience handling NSSO, NFHS, or LASI datasets will be given preference. Candidates with published papers will also be preferred.
  • Candidates with published papers will be preferred.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English.

 

Joining: Immediately.

Salary: Negotiable

About CPHR-MANT:

The Centre for Public Health Research (CPHR) at MANT is dedicated to advancing the field of public health through rigorous research, policy analysis, and community engagement. Our mission is to generate actionable knowledge that addresses pressing public health challenges, particularly in underserved communities. We collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and international bodies, to develop and implement innovative health solutions. Our work spans various domains, including epidemiology, health systems research, environmental health, and health promotion, with a strong focus on improving health outcomes and equity. CPHR is a JBI Affiliate Centre, providing doctoral training and offering international fellowship opportunities. 

 

If you believe you are a suitable candidate, please send your bio-data along with your expected CTC to recruitment.mant@gmail.com and mark cc to mant.kolkata@gmail.com on or before 25th July 2024.

 

National Dissemination Meeting on Documenting the Bidi Life Cycle

National Dissemination Meeting on Documenting the Bidi Life Cycle

Exploring the complexities of bidi manufacturing and its effects on local communities

Join us for an insightful and impactful event as we unveil our latest findings from the study exploring the complexities of bidi manufacturing and its effects on local communities in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. The National Dissemination Meeting on Documenting the Bidi Life Cycle is set to be a significant gathering of renowned researchers, intellectuals, and government officials.

Supported by

Webinar Date

25th June, 2024

14:30 - 16:30 IST

at Press Club, Kolkata

Who should attend?

Academics, practitioners, policymakers, researchers and students.

Join us for an insightful and impactful event as we unveil our latest findings from the study exploring the complexities of bidi manufacturing and its effects on local communities in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. The National Dissemination Meeting on Documenting the Bidi Life Cycle is set to be a significant gathering of renowned researchers, intellectuals, and government officials. 

Event Highlights:

  1. Research Findings Presentation: Discover comprehensive insights into the bidi industry, from production to community impacts.
  2. Expert Panel Discussions: Engage with leading experts discussing the socio-economic and health implications of bidi manufacturing.
  3. Policy Implications: Hear from government officials on the steps being taken to address the issues highlighted in our research.

Speakers and Attendees:

The event will feature distinguished speakers including prominent researchers, policy-makers, and community leaders who have been at the forefront of this critical issue.

Why Attend?

  • Gain valuable knowledge from in-depth research on the bidi industry.
  • Participate in discussions that can shape future policies.
  • Network with key stakeholders and professionals in the field.
  • Contribute to meaningful dialogue on improving community health and well-being.

 

Be part of the conversation and help us drive change for healthier communities.

We look forward to your participation and support in making this event a success.

JBI gLOCAL Symposium Climate Change and One Health

JBI gLOCAL Symposium Climate Change And One Health

Evidence, priorities, and challenges from India and South Africa

With the increase in population, industrialization, and geopolitical problems, global changes are accelerating which damage the biodiversity, ecosystems, and migratory movements of both humankind and species in general. Rapid climate and environmental changes have led to the emergence and reemergence of infectious and noninfectious diseases.

One Health (OH) is a collaborative, multisectoral, coordinated, and transdisciplinary approach – working at the local, regional, national, and global levels – with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes by recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. 

The webinar is aimed at bringing academics, researchers and practitioners working on Climate Change and One Health India and South Africa and share their experiences.

The event is being organized by the two affiliate groups of JBI from India and South Africa. JBI is a global organisation promoting and supporting evidence-based decisions that improve health and health service delivery. JBI offers a unique range of solutions to access, appraise and apply the best available evidence.

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

SESSION 1

Welcome

Dr Edith Madela-Mntla, University of Pretoria, South Africa

13:30-14:00 IST

10:00-10:30 SAST

Introduction to JBI

Professor Zoe Jordan, Adelaide, Australia

SESSION 2

Chairpersons

Prof Jannie Hugo, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Dr. Nirmalya Mukherjee, JBI-CPHR, India

14:00-14:15 IST

10:30-10:45 SAST

Climate Change and One Health- Global and regional evidence

Dr. Giridara Gopal Parameswaran, AMR and One Health Expert, India

14:15-14:30 IST

10:45-11:00 SAST

Climate Change and One Health: Perspectives from South Africa

Dr Sean Patrick, University of Pretoria, South Africa

14:30-14:45 IST

11:00-11:15 SAST

Q & A led by Chairpersons

14:45-15:15 IST

11:15-11:45 SAST

TEA BREAK
SESSION 3

Chairpersons

Dr Chanchal Bhattacharya, Veterinarian, India

Dr Nontembiso Magida, University of Pretoria, South Africa

15:15-15:30 IST

11:45-12:00 SAST

Climate change lens within health systems

Dr. Rajeev Sadanandan, CEO HSTP, India

15:30-15:45 IST

12:00-12:15 SAST

ONE health best practices and lessons learnt 

Dr Sean Patrick, University of Pretoria, South Africa

15:45-16:00 IST

12:15-12:30 SAST

One Health within Health System

Prof Upasona Ghosh, Indian Institute of Public Health, India

16:00-16:15 IST

12:30-12:45 SAST

Q&A by Chairpersons

16:15-16:30 IST

12:45-13:00 SAST

Vote of thanks

Dr. Paramita Bhattacharya, JBI-CPHR

SPEAKERS

Dr Edith Madela-Mntla

PhD
She works as a senior lecturer and researcher at the Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, South Africa. She is also a researcher affiliated with the UP Community Oriented Primary Care Research Unit.
Prof. Zoe Jordan

Prof. Zoe Jordan

Executive Director of JBI, University of Adelaide, Australia
Prof Jordan has promoted global evidence-based healthcare, engaging in various international groups and receiving the 2019 Telstra Businesswomen’s Award.

Prof Jannie Hugo

MFamMed, Head of the Department, Family Medicine, Director, UP COPC Research Unit, South Africa
He leads COPC and COSUP implementation, including mobile data systems, in collaboration with Tshwane and Gauteng Health, South Africa.

Dr. Nirmalya Mukherjee

PhD, Director of Manbhum Ananda Ashram Nityananda Trust (MANT), Kolkata, India
Dr. Mukherjee, Director of CPHR and JBI affiliate, has 23+ years in public health research, project management, and development.

Dr. Giridara Gopal Parameswaran

Senior Associate, Clinton Health Access Initiative, New Delhi, India
He is an infectious disease epidemiologist, specializes in surveillance, evaluation, and large-scale cohort studies, including COVID-19 dashboards.

Dr Sean Patrick

PhD, Senior Lecturer at the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria. South Africa
With a PhD in Environmental Health, he teaches and supervises students, researching environmental issues, climate change, and One Health.

Dr. Chanchal Bhattacharya

PhD, Country Lead, USAID Transform Project at Heifer International, India
He is an expert in risk analysis, antimicrobial resistance, and disaster management, is the Country Lead for USAID Transform at Heifer International.

Dr Nontembiso Magida

PhD, Member, Ekurhuleni Clinical Research Centre (JBI affiliate) South Africa
She is a Lecturer at the University of Pretoria, specializes in inter-professional collaboration, public health, and community engagement. PhD from the University of Witwatersrand.

Dr. Rajeev Sadanandan

Founding leader and CEO of Health Systems Transformation Platform (HSTP), India
He is an ex-Health Secretary of Kerala, specializes in health systems, financing, and disease management. Commissioner on Lancet Global Health Commission.

Dr Upasona Ghosh

PhD, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Public Health, Bhubaneswar, India
She researches climate change impacts on community health and healthcare systems, focusing on social vulnerabilities and climate resilience.

Dr. Paramita Bhattacharya

PhD, Assistant Director at CPHR (JBI affiliate centre), Kolkata, India
She specializes in health economics, financing, and research, and has received awards for her impactful economic studies.

Australia Award Fellowship

Australia Award Fellowship

Australia Awards Fellowship

Implementing Evidence-Based Health Interventions to Close the Healthcare Gap for the Indigenous People of India

Over the course of a year, the Fellowship will provide training and support to strengthen the capacity of participating individuals and the health system to address inequities in indigenous health in India.

This will involve the use of audit and feedback as a framework for the promotion of evidence utilisation in the healthcare setting, and include the following three key stages:

K

Stage 1

Stakeholder Engagement and Baseline Audit: During the first stage of this process Fellows will establish their evidence-based improvements projects, ensure they have buy in from key stakeholders and conduct a baseline audit to establish current practice against best practice.

K

Stage 2

Design and Implementation of Strategies to Improve Practice: The second stage involves analysis of interim findings and the provision of feedback to relevant stakeholders.

K

Stage 3

Follow-up Audit Post Implementation of Practice Improvement Project: The final stage of project implementation involves a follow up audit to assess the impact of the evidence-based interventions implemented in the previous stage.

Following collection of all project data, Fellows will attend a second intensive face-to-face workshop in Australia focussed on evaluation, reporting and strategies for dissemination of project outcomes. They will also work together to develop strategies for scale up and roll out of successful interventions and dissemination of project outcomes. This will include the opportunity to develop a publishable manuscript for submission to a peer reviewed journal, JBI Evidence Implementation Journal, to ensure the outcomes are translated for a global audience.

Outcomes of the Fellowship are expected to include:

1. Building a community of researchers and health practitioners with the motivation, skills, tools, networks and experience to effectively champion the spread of evidence-based interventions which can reduce inequities in health.

2. Improving the quality of healthcare by building local capacity and commitment to implement evidence into interventions to reduce inequities in the healthcare delivered to indigenous people in India.

3. Equipping health professionals with strategies to assist them to lead change, including building productive teams, implementing change, managing difficult behaviour, thereby enabling effective leadership of projects and people.

4. Developing participant’s analytical and writing skills with a view to improving patient, family, and health system outcomes.

5. Forging bilateral relationships with research institutions, government, healthcare organisations, consumers and interest groups that can help to inform the design and support the implementation of effective evidence-based health interventions, as well as amplify their outcomes and impact.

6. Addressing key gaps in data on indigenous health which result from underreporting, misclassification of ethnic groups, incomplete records, limited access to healthcare, cultural and linguistic barriers, and socioeconomic disparities.

Support You Get

  • Return Airfares to Australia (including domestic flight to Canberra)
  • Ground Transportation in Australia (as part of formal travel itinerary)
  • Visa Application Fees to Australia
  • Accommodation in Australia
  • Daily Stipend whilst in Australia (Total AUD $1,323.42 per Fellow)
  • Travel Allowance ($94.53 per Fellow)

Dates and Duration

Fellowship Component

Dates

Location

Component 1: Needs Assessment & Preparatory Reading

October 2024

Remote

Component 2: Opening Workshop

November 2024

India

Component 3: Self-Paced Learning & Project Development

November 2024 – June 2025

Workplace

Component 4: Workshop in Adelaide (visits to Canberra and Sydney)

June 2025 – August 2025

Remote

Component 5: Self-Paced Learning & Project Continuation

June 2025

Australia

Component 6: Results Presentation & Graduation Ceremony

September 2025

India

Fellowship Activities

The Fellowship is delivered over a twelve-month period to provide Fellows with the opportunity to instil and apply the lessons learned within their local health context. Based on our extensive experience delivering Australia Awards Fellowships and Short Courses, the proposed Fellowship will offer a varied learning experience that caters to the unique requirements of adult learners and incorporates a variety of formats and perspectives in our formal sessions, as well as during networking events and site visits, including:

Face to Face Workshops in India and Australia

  • Introductory Workshop in Kolkata, West Bengal, India (5 Days – November 2024)
  • Intensive Workshop in Adelaide/Canberra/Sydney, Australia (16 Days – June 2025)
  • Participant Evaluation and Concluding Workshop in Kolkata, West Bengal, India (2 Days – September 2025)

Monthly Online Learning (9 Months – November 2024 to June 2025)

  • Regular interactive video conferences
  • Online content delivery
  • Interactive activities

Peer-to-peer learning

in and outside the classroom.

Site visits and guest speakers

from the government and private sectors who can provide alternative perspectives on key issues and share their on-the-ground networks and experience with local healthcare services and communities. This is expected to support the alignment of Fellows projects with national development priorities, open doors to resources, data, and institutional support, and foster deeper cultural understanding and community engagement between our two countries, thereby increasing the effectiveness and contextual relevance of Fellows’s health intervention projects.

Case studies

provide practical examples of government and industry.

Networking opportunities

for Fellows with government agencies, higher education institutions and healthcare organisations, providing opportunities to create meaningful links, expand bilateral networks and collaboration, and increase awareness of Australia’s commitment to and role in the development of the region.

Cultural experiences are designed to facilitate

intercultural understanding, develop positive perceptions of Australia and Australians and create shared experiences for Fellows.

Individual health intervention projects

will provide opportunities to apply the learning in order to make progress on a healthcare challenge faced by indigenous populations in West Bengal State. Projects will involve the following key stages:

  • Fellows will be supported in designing and implementing an evidence-based health intervention over a period of 9 months, using JBI’s Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) approach and Practical Application of Evidence System (JBI PACES). This will involve the use of audit and feedback as a framework for the promotion of evidence utilisation in the healthcare setting and include the following three key stages:
    • Stage 1: Stakeholder Engagement and Baseline Audit: During the first stage of this process, Fellows will establish their evidence-based improvement projects, ensure buy-in from key stakeholders, and conduct a baseline audit to compare current practices with best practices.
    • Stage 2: Design and Implementation of Strategies to Improve Practice: The second stage involves analyzing interim findings and providing feedback to relevant stakeholders.
    • Stage 3: Follow-up Audit Post Implementation of Practice Improvement Project: The final stage of project implementation involves a follow-up audit to assess the impact of the evidence-based interventions implemented in the previous stage.
    • Following the collection of all project data, Fellows will attend a second intensive face-to-face workshop in Australia focussed on evaluation, reporting, and strategies for dissemination of project outcomes. They will also work together to develop strategies for scaling up and rolling out successful interventions and dissemination of project outcomes. This will include the opportunity to develop a publishable manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal, JBI Evidence Implementation Journal, to ensure the outcomes are translated for a global audience. 
    • During the final intensive workshop in Kolkata, West Bengal, Fellows will present the results of their individual projects to a range of key stakeholders, including a baseline audit, GRiP barriers, facilitators and strategies, follow-up audit results, and overall reflections on their project experience.

    Topics

    Held over twelve months, the Fellowship will comprise the following modules:

    Fellowship Preparation (Online)

    Pre-Reading & Needs Assessment

    • Preparatory reading
    • Pre-Course Assessments for individuals and participating organisations

    First Intensive Workshop (5 Days – India – November 2024)

    Program Orientation 

    • Welcome & Orientation to Course Program (Introduction to JBI, overview of course objectives, expectations and support available)
    • Online Induction (Introduction to Learning Management System/ Electronic Course Materials)
    • Learning Support (What is available and how is it accessed?)

    Core Module 1: Introduction to Evidence-based Healthcare and the Implementation of Evidence

      During Module 1, Fellows will learn about evidence-based healthcare, best practice models and concepts and the importance of clinical leadership, including building the capacity of participants to manage, actively lead and facilitate change in their community, including conflict resolution, negotiation, communication and building workplace culture based on current best practice. They will also work together to develop a project plan for an evidence-based health intervention and develop strategies to effectively implement change within their local healthcare context. Topics covered will include:

      • Introduction to Health Workforce Development in Evidence Implementation Fellowship
      • Introduction to JBI
      • Introduction to Evidence-based Healthcare
      • Introduction to Evidence Implementation and Implementation Science
      • Introduction to Theories, Models and frameworks to guide implementation
      • Leading change in a clinical setting
      • The role of facilitation within evidence implementation
      • Leading people through change
      • Engaging with and managing conflict in the healthcare setting
      • Identifying your problem
      • Engaging change agents
      • Assessing content and readiness for change
      • Revieing practice against evidence-based criteria
      • Evidence implementation strategies
      • Evaluating Implementation
      • Introduction to the Practice Application of Clinical Evidence System (JBI PACES)
      • Identifying audit criteria to measure compliance
      • Guided development of an implementation protocol
      • Presentation of practice improvement projects and associated implementation protocols

      Work Based Practice Improvement Project (9 Months – 2 Days/Month – November 2024 To July 2025)

      Core Module 2: Participant Evidence Implementation Projects

      During Module 2, Fellows will be supported to design and implement their evidence-based health intervention projects within their local health context over a period of 9 months, using JBI’s Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) approach and Practical Application of Evidence System (JBI PACES). This will involve the use of audit and feedback as a framework for the promotion of evidence utilisation in the healthcare setting and include the following three key stages:

      1. Stakeholder Engagement and Baseline Audit

      During the first stage of this process, Fellows will establish their evidence-based health intervention projects, ensure they have buy-in from key stakeholders, and conduct a baseline audit to establish current practices against best practices. It will involve the following activities:

      • Establishing a project team
      • Implementing a stakeholder engagement plan to educate colleagues and patients
      • Engaging with executive leadership to ensure buy-in
      • Establishing audit criteria for their practice improvement project
      • Conducting a baseline audit to assess current practice against best practice

      1. Design and Implementation of Strategies to Improve Practice

      The second stage involves the analysis of interim findings and the provision of feedback to relevant stakeholders. It will involve the following activities:

      • Implementing the evidence-based health intervention process
      • Monitoring adherence to process and compliance with audit criteria
      • Providing ongoing feedback to participating healthcare workers
      • Identifying barriers to implementation of the evidence-based process and implementing strategies to overcome these.

      1. Follow-up Audit Post Implementation of Practice Improvement Project

      The final stage of project implementation involves a follow-up audit to assess the impact of the evidence-based interventions implemented in the previous stage. It will involve the following activities:

      • Conducting a follow-up audit to assess current practices against best practices. 
      • Finalising data collection in preparation for the second intensive workshop in Adelaide

      Second Intensive Workshop (16 Days – Adelaide/ Canberra/ Sydney – June 2025)

      • Core Module 3: Post-Project Workshop

      During Module 3, Fellows will attend a second intensive face-to-face workshop focussed on evaluation, reporting and strategies for disseminating project outcomes. They will also work together to develop strategies to scale up and roll out successful interventions and disseminate project outcomes.

      • Analysing the data collected over the project’s life and evaluating the implementation process’s effectiveness.
      • Analysing the data collected over the life of the project and evaluating the effectiveness of the change in practice.
      • Preparing a detailed implementation report.
      • Develop a dissemination strategy to maximise the impact of your project results.

      Fellows will have the opportunity to develop a publishable manuscript for submission to the JBI Evidence Implementation Journal, which will ensure that the outcomes are translated for a global audience.

      Third Intensive Workshop (2 Days – India – August 2025)

      • Core Module 4: Dissemination of Outcomes

      During the final workshop, Fellows will share the results of their individual projects, including baseline audit, GRiP barriers, facilitators and strategies, follow-up audit results and overall reflections on their project experience. Topics covered will include:

      • Presentation of outcomes
      • Identifying and implementing strategies for sustainability
      • Building the community of practice
      • Summation, evaluation and close

      All program content will be tailored to ensure that it meets the specific requirements of the Australia Awards and CPHR at MANT and delivers the best possible learning experience for participating health care professionals.  

      In alignment with the requirements of the Australia Awards, the program will incorporate content designed to build capability in the areas of climate and disaster risk, as well as promote gender equity and women in leadership. This content will be delivered through a combination of discrete sessions delivered by leading experts in these respective fields, and these important themes will be integrated into the core modules over the course of the program.