Overview of the Program

The Society for Community Health Awareness Research and Action (SOCHARA) through School of Public Health Equity and Action (SOPHEA) offers a unique Community Health Learning Programme (CHLP). Initiated in the year 2003, it has evolved and grown in strength through a process of review and evaluation. In 17 years, 360 participants have transformed their lives and that of the communities they work with. Most of them have taken on senior and leadership positions in their organizations.  

The programme is unique as it encourages participants to explore the social paradigm of community and public health based on community needs and first-hand community experiences. 

Established mechanisms such as Academic and Research Council (ARC) for curriculum design and SOCHARA Institutional Scientific and Ethics Committee (SISEC) for review of research proposals support the programme. Participants will have access to the resource center at SOCHARA, Bangalore and a wide range of partners and networks. Mentorship and a person-centered approach to learning with a justice orientation to health are the core components. 

Participants conduct a community-based enquiry or initiate action on areas of felt needs in community health. These could include any one but not limited to following,

1. Child Health

2. Communicable Diseases

3. Disability

4. Geriatric Health

5. Health and Environment 

6. Mental health

7. Non-Communicable Diseases

8. Nutrition

9. Pandemics (including COVID-19)

10. Rural Health

11. Sanitation

12. Tribal Health

13. Urban Health 

14. Women’s Health

CHLP participants have returned with a rich experience to work in organizations across India and are working enthusiastically in community health.

The upcoming CHLP commencing from April 2021 adds on to the understanding of impact of COVID-19 on communities and equip the participants to build appropriate strategies to tackle the emerging challenges. Duration of the programme is 12 months with 30 learning modules delivered through live online sessions and a community-based project to enhance the learning experience.

Key features

• Part time- Participants can continue with their current employment

• Blended learning- Weekly live classes with recordings made accessible

• Mentorship- Continuous mentoring by experienced subject matter experts and community health practitioners through the programme and after.

• Community based field projects- With the participant’s current organization or SOCHARA’s partner organization

Curriculum

The CHLP program structure and curriculum has been developed through a consultative process involving several community health/public health practitioners. It has been framed according to the Indian context and local needs. It provides an overall perspective to community based approaches and is guided by the principles of health equity and rights. The program has a rich set of learning modules which will cover core concepts of community health, linkages between community health and factors like globalization,climate change and culminating in understanding how to create a tangible impact. 

Understand Core Concepts

1. Understanding community health

2. Communitization of health

3. Social Determinants of health

4. Right to health and access to health care

Explore Linkages

1. Mental health especially in the context of COVID-19

2. Health movements

3. Climate change and health

4. Globalization and health

Create Impact

1. Public health management

2. Communication for health

3. Health technology and innovation

4. Fundraising and proposal writing

5. Project management

Our Faculty

Our faculty comprises a mix of community health practitioners and research scholars. 

Ameer Khan- Health Activist

Dr. Denis Xavier- Academician and Researcher, Professor of Pharmacology, St. John’s Medical College, Former Vice Dean (PG), St. John’s Medical College, Head, Division of Clinical Research, St. John’s Research Institute

Dr. Mani Kalliath- Former Executive Director at Basic Needs of India, Community Mental Health Activist

Dr Maya Mascarenhas- Consultant Trainer, NHSRC, GOI

Dr. Mohan Isaac- Professor of Psychiatry, University of Western Australia, Former HOD, Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bangalore.

Dr. Pruthvish S- Public Health Expert, Former HOD, Department of IC Community Medicine, M S Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore 

Prahalad I M- Community Health Practitioner on Water and Sanitation

Prasanna Saligram- Community Health Practitioner

Dr. Ramani Atkuri- Independent Public Health Physician

Dr. Ravi D'Souza- Community Health Physician

Dr. Ravi Narayan- Founder: SOCHARA, Community Health Advisor 

Dr. S K Ghosh- Entomologist, Former Senior Scientist Group Lead at ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Bangalore. 

Dr. S. P. Tekur- Community Health Practitioner, Crisis Counsellor

Dr. Thelma Narayan- Epidemiologist and Public Health Policy Analyst and Practitioner, Co-Founder: SOCHARA