In alignment with the National Health Mission (NHM), the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) implemented a referral navigation system known as the Integrated Health Care Delivery (IHCD) System at selected healthcare facilities in the Vellarada and Perumkadavila health blocks. To assess the current status of this pilot initiative, the State Health Systems Resource Centre – Kerala (SHSRC-K) was entrusted with the responsibility of conducting a situational analysis, as directed by the NHM.

The objective of this evaluation study was to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and overall impact of the IHCD system across all levels of care—primary, secondary, and tertiary.

For data collection, the research team visited 15 health institutions selected from the Perumkadavila and Vellarada Health Blocks. These institutions represented all three levels of the healthcare system. The study included both patients and healthcare providers, using facility assessments, in-depth interviews, and key informant interviews as primary research tools.

Both qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed, and the findings were compiled into a comprehensive report. Key results from the study were presented during a stakeholder meeting held on April 3, 2025.