Our key activities are community health research, documentation, assessment, validation of traditional healthcare practices and certification of traditional healers. We have expertise in developing innovative curriculum merging Shastra and science to wide range of stakeholders starting from layman to medical and paramedical experts.

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The Community Health group plays a leading role in developing transdisciplinary links across the university and turning research into outreach solutions in primary healthcare. We have established wide range of network with traditional healers across the country which strengthens the 4th tier healthcare system.

This group has experience in conducting community-based studies/population trials, qualitative studies for the effect, efficacy and safety of traditional knowledge-based solutions in public health issues.

Current Research Programs /projects

1) Voluntary Certification Scheme for Community Healthcare Providers (VCSTCHP): A National Scheme established by the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), Bangalore and Quality Council of India (QCI), New Delhi to certify prior learning (knowledge and skill) of traditional healers, following the International norms as per ISO 17024. TDU is accredited as provisionally approved Personnel Certification Body (PrCB). We have certified 1213 community-based traditional healers. across 10 States in India

2) “Enhancing the livelihoods among Scheduled Tribe communities in Nilgiris Biosphere in Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu” funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST) Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division.

3) Nutritional Anaemia Program: Community Outreach, leveraging traditional healers and health workers as knowledge partners in addressing one of the major public health problems of our country i.e., nutritional deficiency anaemia. Impart nutritional education on Iron-Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) among tribal, rural residents of Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu is key focus of this program. Funded by RIST.

4) Clinical Study on tolerability, treatment adherence, and safety of Drakshavaleha in the management of Iron Deficiency Anemia: An open label single arm study; A multi-centric study supported by Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), New Delhi.

5) Evaluation of Add-on value of Iron-Rich Snack with Iron Folic Acid in the Management of Iron-Deficiency Anaemia: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial, supported by Model Rural Health Research Unit (MRHRU), Raichur, Karnataka & ICMR – National Institute of Traditional Medicine (ICMR - NITM), Belagavi, Karnataka.

6) Varmam Therapist Diploma course in collaboration with Varma Kalpa Rejuvenation Center (VKRC), Bangalore 

Recently completed projects

1) Antimicrobial Resistance study – University of Southampton, UK

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a rising threat to humankind globally. Reasons of an increase in the AMR can vary between rural and urban India and between public and private healthcare systems. A pilot study was conceived to have detailed deliberation with multiple stakeholders on these reasons and appropriate remedial measures for antimicrobial resistance. Systematic review on selected medicinal plant was done.

2) Integrative Health Sciences – Supported by BOSCH-CSR

A pilot proof of practice project to learn lessons for design and execution of a scalable community health program for enhancing general immunity and respiratory health in the communities.

Our collaborators and supporters:

For more information

Dr. Prakash BN, Associate Professor

bn.prakash@tdu.edu.in