Role of Social Enterprises in Bridging Healthcare Sector Gap: A Case of ‘Santhwanam’

Abstract

The increasing rate of non-communicable diseases calls for early identification and intervention. Trained paramedical forces can cater to the healthcare needs on the prevention front. This opens the doors for social enterprises to address this social need in an economically sustainable way. The present research article discusses the unique health intervention ‘Santhwanam’, a collaborative effort of Kudumbashree, the State Livelihood Mission of Kerala, the State Bank of India and Health Action by the People. It addresses the rural people’s unmet health needs by creating a pool of trained paramedical professionals. At present, ‘Santhwanam’ has trained 356 women in paramedical services and reached nearly 3.41 lakh people’s lives in 14 districts of Kerala.