Tribal Health Initiative (THI)

How THI began

Tribal Health Initiative(THI) was set up in the Sittilingi Valley in Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, in 1993 by Dr. Regi and Dr. Lalitha. Sittilingi valley and the surrounding hills have approximately 50,000 inhabitants, most of whom are tribals.THI started out as a small clinic and is now a hospital with ~50 staff members. Prior to THI, the nearest hospital with surgical facilities was 100 km away.

Impact so far

• 33-bed hospital with 4 full-time doctors and a 24×7 labour room with Neo-natal ICU.

• Nurses are from the local community and were trained by the doctors at THI.

• Ambulance service for 21 villages in and around Sittilingi.

• Training local part-time ‘Health Auxiliaries’, who are responsible for diagnosing and treating minor illnesses, offering advice on good hygiene, birthing, and nutrition, in their village community. They are facilitators for community development work.

• THI also supports craft, and organic farming initiatives involving the locals.