The Sevak Project, established in 2010, aims to improve healthcare access and awareness in rural communities. Launched with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then chief minister of Gujarat, the project has since expanded its footprint across India and even into South America, reaching over 250 villages in 33 districts of Gujarat, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Guyana, South America.
The Sevak Project has impacted over 200,000 people by enhancing healthcare awareness and education in underserved areas. At the core of this initiative is the “Sevak”- a trained villager who serves as a healthcare advocate, educator, and liaison. These Sevaks provide public health education, conduct health screenings, and refer patients to specialists as and when needed. They also play a vital role in promoting sanitation, access to clean drinking water, and maternal and child health.
Sevaks are trained to use medical kits like blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, weighing scales, pulse oximeters, thermometers, and laptops for data collection. These tools allow them to gather real-time data on health metrics and household facilities. Sevaks screen villagers for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, anemia, and obesity. They offer personalized advice on managing chronic diseases through telemedicine, immunizations, and lifestyle changes.
The initiative's success is bolstered by partnerships with organizations like WHEELS Global Foundation in Washington and the WIN Foundation in India.
A significant initiative under the project involves the eradication of TB in partnership with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and the Collaboration to Eliminate Tuberculosis Among Indians (CETI). Sevaks are trained to monitor hemoglobin levels in females. So far, they have screened over 42,000 women, identifying and treating cases of anemia early to prevent future maternal and child health complications. Beyond healthcare, the Sevak Project has introduced vocational training programs for women in villages.
