From Health Reforms to the Mitanin Revolution : As Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. B.L. Agrawal led one of Chhattisgarh’s most transformative health initiatives — the Mitanin Programme, a community-driven healthcare model that became a national benchmark.
Inspired by a training program in Madagascar, Dr. Agrawal introduced the idea of training local women as community health volunteers — “Mitanins.” The impact was revolutionary. Within years, they became the backbone of rural healthcare, dramatically reducing infant mortality and preventing deaths from diseases like malaria and diarrhea.
Under his leadership, the state’s Infant Mortality Rate fell from 95 to 64 — a milestone that put Chhattisgarh on the national health map. His success caught the attention of the Government of India, which later adopted the concept at the national level under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) as the “ASHA” program.
Dr. Agrawal’s belief in empowering communities rather than centralizing solutions made healthcare accessible to millions. He also oversaw the establishment of the Bastar Medical College (2005–07), which became vital in treating security personnel and civilians in conflict-prone areas.
His work didn’t just change health indicators — it changed lives. The Mitanin legacy remains a living tribute to his innovative, inclusive, and humane approach to governance.
