History & Milestones
About SHRC
The Social Health Resource Centre (SHRC), formerly known as the State Health Resource Centre, was established in 2002 through a collaboration between the Government of Chhattisgarh and civil society.
It has played an important role in strengthening public health systems in the state and functioned as an additional technical support institution to the Department of Health and Family Welfare until 31st March 2025.
During this period, SHRC supported the government in advancing community-based health processes and improving health systems, while serving as a bridge between communities, public health systems, and the broader health research and academic space.
Strengthening Community Processes
SHRC has played a foundational role in advancing community processes in Chhattisgarh through the Mitanin Programme, one of India’s earliest and most influential community health worker initiatives.
SHRC led the selection, training, and continuous capacity building of Mitanins through a structured multi-round training process.
Importantly, the Mitanin Programme has had national influence, serving as a model for the ASHA programme under the National Health Mission.
Through these sustained efforts, SHRC has contributed to strengthening grassroots health systems, improving access to essential services, and building community ownership of health across the state.
SHRC introduced several key innovations to strengthen the Mitanin Programme and community-level healthcare.
These included the Mitanin “Dawapeti” (drug kit) for providing basic curative services at the community level and the establishment of systems such as the Mitanin Help Desk to support patient navigation in hospitals.
The organisation also contributed to social support initiatives such as the Mitanin Welfare Scheme (Mitanin Kalyan Kosh) and promoted career pathways for Mitanins, including opportunities to pursue nursing education.
SHRC further supported the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Shahri Swasthya Karyakram (Urban Mitanin Programme), which later informed the introduction of the Urban ASHA programme across the country.
It also facilitated community action initiatives in health, including the conceptualization and implementation of the Swasth Panchayat Yojana, formation and strengthening of Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committees across the state, and support for decentralized village health planning.
The organisation also supported implementation of community-based initiatives such as the Fulwadi Programme across tribal blocks of the state.
In addition, SHRC promoted innovations such as smokeless chulhas and other community-based interventions aimed at addressing broader social determinants of health.
Strengthening Health Systems
SHRC has played a significant role in strengthening public health systems in Chhattisgarh through sustained technical support in policy, programme design, and institutional development.
It facilitated the rollout of the National Rural Health Mission in the state and supported the formation and capacity building of key governance structures such as Jeevan Deep Samitis.
The organisation contributed to improving service delivery systems through initiatives such as strengthening First Referral Units by enhancing emergency obstetric care capacities of medical officers, rationalizing human resources, and supporting quality improvement processes.
SHRC enabled ISO certification of District Hospital Korba as the first ISO-certified public health facility in the country.
It also promoted mainstreaming of AYUSH and supported the establishment of systems like the Chhattisgarh Health Equipment Management System (CGHEMS).
SHRC has been instrumental in conceptualizing and supporting major institutional and human resource innovations, including the Rural Medical Assistant (RMA), Chhattisgarh Rural Medical Corps (CRMC), and the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMSC).
It also contributed to the design of flagship initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Bal Hriday Suraksha Yojana and supported programme strengthening efforts such as the establishment of a dedicated leprosy cell under the National Leprosy Elimination Programme.
In addition, SHRC has made substantial contributions to health policy and regulatory frameworks in the state.
These include inputs to the Chhattisgarh Health and Population Policy, strategies to address gaps in medical officers in rural areas, development of health insurance models for vulnerable populations, and formulation of regulatory frameworks for private health establishments.
Present Role of SHRC
SHRC now functions as an independent civil society organisation, continuing its engagement in public health through research, technical support, and programme implementation.
Building on its experience, it works across community health, health systems strengthening, and knowledge generation, while collaborating with government and development partners to promote equitable and community-centered healthcare approaches.
