Developing an effective primary healthcare (PHC) model for urban areas remains a significant challenge in India and HSTP is actively working to address this gap. We have conducted urban healthcare assessments and established partnerships with the urban health systems of Mysuru and Bhopal. In Mysuru, HSTP conducted a comprehensive assessment of the PHC system, while in Bhopal, efforts were made to adapt the WHO Healthy Cities Framework.
In 2022, HSTP, in partnership with Karnataka Health Promotion Trust and St. John’s Research Institute, conducted a study that revealed significant barriers to healthcare access on both the supply and demand sides. Key findings highlighted that while a substantial proportion of women utilized public services for maternal and neonatal care (50%) and child immunization (77%), gaps persisted in crucial areas such as early breastfeeding initiation, with only 50% of newborns breastfed within the first hour of birth. Furthermore, the study revealed alarming rates of stunting (27%), wasting (28%), and anemia among pregnant women (24%) among children under five.
The “Healthy Cities Programme” in Bhopal, adapted from the WHO framework is designed to address key determinants of urban health and create a healthier environment for residents. This place-based approach targets five essential themes: water, sanitation, environment, food and individual & family health each central to improving health outcomes.
To ensure inclusivity and community relevance, the study involved stakeholders from various sectors including experts and community representatives. Recognizing the importance of tracking progress, HSTP focused on identifying measurable indicators and establishing a baseline report. HSTP’s “Healthy Cities” framework draws on global and national efforts to build healthier cities and outlines strategies for inter-sectoral collaboration, setting a clear path forward for Bhopal.
HSTP has partnered with the Centre for Research in Systems and Policy (CRISP) to develop a comprehensive action plan for emergency medical services in Madhya Pradesh. This initiative involves a detailed analysis of ambulance service data (IRDS) and facility mapping to assess service availability and capacity across the state.
This study examines the preferred sources of primary care by the urban population and identifying the factors that influence their choice of healthcare facilities in Bhopal, Mysuru and Bhubaneswar.
This assessment seeks to understand the facilitators and obstacles in delivering urban primary healthcare services in these cities, helping us to identify areas requiring improvement to enhance service delivery.
By mapping urban civil society partners and by identifying the roles and capacities of urban civil society organizations in Bhopal, Mysuru, and Bhubaneswar.
This study aims to assess the share of primary healthcare services delivered by municipal health services, Employee State Insurance (ESI) dispensaries, UPHCs and private sector providers (both formal and informal) in these urban areas.
HSTP recently organized an impactful session on “Transforming Urban Health Policy – A Call to Action for Sustainable, Equitable and Healthy Cities” at the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2025. This session catalyzed crucial dialogue on reimagining urban health policy for India’s rapidly growing cities. Following this insightful session, the UPHC-WHS consultation report has been submitted to the standing committee on Housing and Urban Affairs chaired by MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy for consideration by Parliament and committee members – turning dialogue into concrete policy action.
Proud to share the successful completion of the Champions of Change Program – Second Batch, an Integrated Emergency Care System Building Workshop held from June 16-20 at JPNACT AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi). This collaborative effort between the Department of Public Health & Medical Education, Government of Madhya Pradesh, WHO Collaborating Centre Emergency and Trauma Care South-East Asia Region, Centre for Research in Schemes & Policies (CRISP) and Health Systems Transformation Platform represents a significant step forward to enhance emergency healthcare in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha addressing key gaps in the state’s health system.
Forum for Health Systems Design and Transformation, more popularly known as Health Systems Transformation Platform (HSTP), a company licensed under section 8 of the Indian Companies Act, 2013 incorporated under the aegis of Tata Trusts.