Staying the course, navigating through the pandemic: lessons in resilience and health equity

The report details the efforts of SNEHA (Society for Nutrition Education and Health Action), a Mumbai-based NGO, in responding to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining its focus on health equity and routine services in vulnerable urban populations. As the pandemic unfolded, SNEHA leveraged its longstanding relationships within the communities and its deep-rooted organizational strengths to pivot quickly. This included adapting to new operational realities, such as transitioning to online platforms for communication and training, and shifting the focus of their interventions to address urgent needs like food insecurity, unemployment, and domestic violence.

SNEHA's response was comprehensive and multifaceted. It included launching a range of new initiatives, such as virtual antenatal care clinics, telephonic health services, and innovative communication strategies like loudspeaker announcements and community engagement through local leaders. These efforts were critical in continuing the provision of essential health services and in disseminating accurate information about COVID-19 to the communities. SNEHA also formed collaborations with other NGOs and civil society networks to expand their reach and impact, particularly in areas such as vaccination drives and addressing gender-based violence.

The report also highlights the organization's learning from the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, community stewardship, and the use of technology in crisis response. SNEHA's approach demonstrated how an integrated, people-first strategy, combined with strong community ties and effective partnerships, can help sustain health interventions even in the face of unprecedented challenges. The report concludes with reflections from a webinar series organized by SNEHA, where experts discussed the lessons learned and the importance of resilience and intersectoral approaches in navigating public health crises.