India’s rural healthcare system faces critical shortages, particularly in primary healthcare that is available, accessible, acceptable and affordable.
In rural areas like Anekal Taluk, limited access to healthcare services has led to a disproportionate rise in preventable diseases and premature deaths. OBLF’s Remedy program, launched to address these healthcare deficits, focuses on the prevention, management, and treatment of healthcare issues along the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Continuum of Care.
Since 2021, OBLF has made headway into Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) continuum of care – focussing on primary healthcare access and reducing preventable Cardio-vascular diseases (CVDs) through early screening, detection and management of Hypertension & Diabetes in rural communities. It has established a strong community-centred primary healthcare operational model – comprising frontline health workers, an experienced and committed medical team, and a support team of counsellors, pharmacists, etc.
In the course of this work on primary health care and NCDs – OBLF identified complex challenges faced by older persons, those with Life Limiting Illnesses [LLIs] – often brought about by serious health incidents like strokes, cancers and other health sufferings.
The bleakness of their existence and poverty also serves as the origin of mental health issues in these communities. The prevalence in this population of anxiety, depression, loneliness – and their intersectionality with the other issues, added to the complexity of managing primary health care in rural, constrained settings.
Based on this deep contextual understanding of the situation on the ground, OBLF scaled and evolved its public health program to include and integrate geriatric care, palliative care, screening for cancers, and mental health care for these populations.
Serving over 100,000 people in Anekal Taluk, OBLF aims for meaningful, sustainable improvements in the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
OBLF provides accessible, affordable, and predictable healthcare through an integrated system that adapts to evolving community needs. Key services include:
OBLF’s approach also emphasizes NCD management, mental health integration, and holistic care for older adults and those with LLIs. By addressing both chronic conditions and mental health issues, OBLF ensures early detection, comprehensive treatment, and continuous management to improve community health in Anekal Taluk.
The initiatives under the Remedy program are committed to providing equitable and sustained primary healthcare to the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. By focusing on the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases, mental health, geriatric and palliative care, the program directly contributes to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030.
OBLF’s comprehensive public health program serves over 30 remote rural villages, with a combined population exceeding 13,000. The primary healthcare program includes several key components:
The three primary objectives of this program are:
Our Geriatric and Palliative care initiative is a comprehensive approach designed to support individuals living with serious illnesses, chronic conditions, or advanced age. This form of care addresses both medical and non-medical needs to improve quality of life for patients. It includes:
Palliative care focuses on enhancing comfort, dignity, and quality of life, regardless of the stage of illness or the need for curative treatments. It is an integral part of holistic healthcare, aiming to provide compassionate support for both patients and their families throughout the course of serious illness.
Palliative care is essential because, despite ongoing treatment, many patients continue to experience pain, breathlessness, loss of appetite, and other symptoms that significantly diminish their quality of life. This type of care focuses on enhancing comfort and well-being, often stepping in to manage care when curative treatments are no longer effective or feasible.
OBLF provides palliative care delivered by a dedicated team of experienced medical and paramedical professionals. Our team excels in offering personalized, comprehensive care, tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, at our Geriatric and Palliative Care Center or through home-based services.
This care is offered free of charge to the economically disadvantaged and underprivileged residents of Anekal Taluk, ensuring that those in need receive compassionate care without financial burden.
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