Project PRANAA Screens 14,071 Individuals, Boosts NCD Awareness & Healthcare Delivery

The People to People Health Foundation (PPHF), with support from Boston Scientific, successfully concludes the first phase of Project PRANAA to address the rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in underprivileged communities. Implemented in Gurugram and Pune, the initiative aligns with the Government of India’s 75/25 initiative on NCDs and aims to strengthen healthcare delivery, promote digital health solutions, and improve public health outcomes.

Over the past year, PRANAA reached 14,071 individuals through 135 screening camps and 44 community awareness drives, significantly increasing awareness and detection of NCDs. The project screened 8,738 adults for critical health issues, bridging gaps in healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

To reinforce local healthcare capacity, PRANAA trained 107 healthcare workers in essential skills, including ECG techniques, cervical cancer screening, and CPR. These efforts aim to empower frontline workers to tackle pressing community health challenges more effectively.

Multi-Sectoral Approach to NCDs

Highlighting the initiative’s significance, Dr. Laxmikant Palo, CEO, People to People Health Foundation (PPHF), says,"PPHF remains committed to working alongside health systems and private sectors to mobilise communities through regular awareness, training, and screening programs. Our collaborative, integrated approach bridges operational gaps in NCD programming to combat this rising burden."

NCDs currently account for 60 per cent of deaths in India, posing a significant hurdle to achieving the nation’s "Viksit Bharat" vision of a developed India by 2047. PRANAA’s success underscores the need for:

• Strengthened prevention and early detection policies

• Enhanced healthcare infrastructure and accessibility

• Greater community engagement and behavior change campaigns

Innovative Healthcare Interventions

PRANAA introduced Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to bridge diagnostic and specialist care gaps, ensuring high-quality and accessible services. Special initiatives, such as Women Wellness Camps, addressed societal barriers by promoting cancer screenings and other unmet healthcare needs. These efforts reduced costs, saved time, and delivered improved care to underserved communities.

Madan R. Krishnan, Vice President and MD, APAC Growth Markets, Boston Scientific, states, "At Boston Scientific, we are dedicated to transforming lives through innovative medical solutions and meaningful collaborations. Our support for PPHF’s initiatives like Project PRANAA reflects our mission to improve global healthcare and aligns with India’s vision of accessible healthcare by 2047."

Key Recommendations for NCD Management
PRANAA outlines critical steps to tackle NCDs, including:

• Strengthening prevention and early detection through policies on tobacco control, sugary drink taxes, and front-of-pack labelling.

• Enhancing community engagement through campaigns and patient support groups.

• Upgrading healthcare infrastructure with telemedicine and mobile units.

• Establishing a National NCD Task Force to drive innovative financing mechanisms.

• Fostering multi-sectoral collaboration among stakeholders.

Recently in Delhi, PPHF released a Coffee Table Book on PRANAA’s learnings and experiences. The booklet highlights critical insights and provides a roadmap for addressing NCDs, aligning efforts with India’s “Viksit Bharat@2047” vision.