Krishnamurthy (gopi) Gopalakrishnan

Biography

 Gopi Gopalakrishnan founded the first large scale rural social franchising program, Janani, in the state of Bihar in 1995, devoted to providing reproductive health services. Gopi has been a member of India’s Population Commission, advising the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the National Rural Health Mission. In 2007, Gopi received a prestigious civilian honor from the Government of Vietnam for his contributions while serving as Country Director of DKT International in Hanoi. Gopi was educated at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Rajasthan. 

Research Interest

 The WHP model uses technology and franchising to increase the quality and coverage of essential health services to rural areas, including the poorest states in India – Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Here, the model leverages the informal health system by franchising rural providers and integrating them into the nation’s formal health care delivery system. WHP franchisees use “Sky” brands: “SkyHealth” centers are internet-enabled, and can connect patients with city doctors through audio-visual devices that also transmit patients’ vital diagnostics. “SkyCare” providers connect their patients with doctors on their mobile phones. In addition, WHP has certified pharmacies and diagnostic labs in their ecosystem of health services.