Comprehensive Rural
Health Project
About
The Comprehensive Rural Health Project, Jamkhed (CRHP), has been working among the rural poor and marginalized for the past 45 years. Founded in 1970 by Drs. Raj and Mabelle Arole to bring healthcare to the poorest of the poor, CRHP has become an organization that empowers people and communities to eliminate injustices through integrated efforts in health and development. CRHP works by mobilizing and building the capacity of communities to achieve access to comprehensive development and freedom from stigma, poverty, and disease. Pioneering a comprehensive approach to community-based primary healthcare (also known as the Jamkhed Model), CRHP has been a leader in public health and development in rural communities in India and around the world. At the core of this comprehensive community-based approach is its embrace of equity for all, utilizing healthcare as a means to break the cycle of poverty. The work of CRHP has been recognized by the WHO and UNICEF, and has been introduced to communities around the world.
Mission
“Health is a fundamental human right. Eliminating injustices which deny all people access to this right underlies the very essence of our work and our approach. Using the combined talents and energy of our staff and the families we work with, we strive to develop communities through a grassroots movement. By mobilizing and building the capacity of communities all can achieve access to health care and freedom from poverty, hunger and violence.”
Vision
“We envision communities where families are healthy and enjoy fulfilling lives. The full human rights of every individual, especially women and children, are protected and uncompromised. We believe that all people are made in the image of God and endowed with talents and abilities. We are called to facilitate and empower the poor and marginalized and enable them to achieve their full potential through a value-based approach with equity and justice.”
Impact
1970 to today
As the communities needs have changed, so have our programs changed to meet those needs. We work on many exciting projects to help improve the lives of others, and are very proud of the progress we continue to make. Learn more about what we do, who we help, and how we work every day to promote positive change.
Individual Impact
All of our programs aim to empower individuals so that they can in turn make healthy and empowered decisions in their families and communities leading to generational changes. Behind each of our programs are individuals who now have the knowledge and services to improve their own lives.
Community Impact
80% of health problems can be prevented and controlled directly at the village level through Village Health Workers and trained community groups. CRHP’s hospital, designed to serve the particular health needs in this area in a culturally sensitive manner, fills the gap by providing care to the remaining 20% of health problems by addressing complicated medical issues.
National Impact
Annually, CRHP provides services that directly impact 500,000 people in the state of Maharashtra.
​
CRHP is in direct partnership with the Government of Maharashtra and the local Jamkhed government to help train ASHA workers, respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and conduct family-planning camps. Additional domestic partners include Dasra, SERP, STAPI, the Public Health Foundation of India, SIT, and ayzh.
Global Impact
Through international trainings and partnerships, the Jamkhed Model has been adapted and replicated throughout communities worldwide. Every year, we invite students to come and learn with us, perform internships, and conduct research.
​
Our international partners help us spread our mission, improve our services, and increase our domestic impact. Current partners include the World Diabetes Foundation, GICAM, the Freedom From Poverty Foundation, Dartmouth College, the University of Melbourne, and Elon University.
Cumulative Impact
900,000
Patients Treated at CRHP
16,000
COVID -19
Patients Treated Free
825,000 Patients Treated at CRHP
54,000
Mobile Clinics Held
23,000
Free Surgeries
Performed
45,000
19,500
300
900
Project
Villages
Water Projects Completed
​
Artificial Limbs Provided
​
Grassroots Healthcare Workers Trained
5 million
Trees Planted
220
Houses Built
for the Rural Poor
2,500
International Workers
and Students Trained
28
Countries Where the
Jamkhed Model has
Been Replicated