Established in 1986, Karuna Trust is a public charitable trust that has been implementing health and development programs through public private partnership in India for over two decades.
Association for Health Welfare in the Nilgiris (Ashwini)
Association for Health Welfare in the Nilgiris (Ashwini)
Not-for-profit
Year launched: 1992Existing or expanding (post-pilot)
Target geography
Target Population
Target income level
- Lower-middle income (20-40%)
- Middle-income (40-60%)
Health focus
- Primary care
Summary
ASHWINI is a Charitable Organisation providing comprehensive health care to one of the most neglected sections of Indian society - the Adivasis, a group that primarily inhabits the tri-junction of the South Indian States of Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka.Program goals
The main objective of the ASHWINI insurance scheme is to break the financial barrier of the Adivasi families at the time of illness. "Our challenge was to encourage them to plan ahead and save something for the possible event of sickness in the future."
Key program components
Started as a small community health program primarily targeted at training tribal women on feminine and child care issues, ASHWINI grew into an organization comprised of a 20 bed hospital and 8 Sub-Centers, owned and managed by the people themselves.
Insurance Scheme: The main objective of the ASHWINI insurance scheme is to break the financial barrier of the Adivasi families at the time of illness.
"Our challenge was to encourage them to plan ahead and save something for the possible event of sickness in the future. For a community, eking out a day-to-day existence, this was a radical change. Saving for the future itself was a new thing - leave alone for their health needs."
Partnering with enterprising officers of the New India Assurance Company, ASHWINI designed an insurance package which addressed the specific health needs of the Adivasis. The composite tribal group insurance scheme was launched in 1992. For a premium of Rs.15 per person per year, hospitalization expenses up to Rs.1500 would be reimbursed by the insurance company. The Adivasi Munnetra Sangam, the parent organization of ASHWANI that advocates for Adivasi rights, decided to insure all its members, about 5000 individuals in 1992. By 2002, the number has risen to 13000 as new villages and members join the AMS.
Scale
Financials
Parent Organizations
No, the program is its own organization.
Related Resources:
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