Dr. Ashish Satav: A Lifelong Mission to Heal the Tribal Communities of Melghat

How a Vision from Childhood Led to Transforming Healthcare for Over a Million People in India's Remote Forests

Dr. Ashish Satav’s journey into the Melghat forest reflects a life-long commitment to serving India’s most vulnerable populations. His dream of becoming a doctor to help the downtrodden took root when he was in 7th grade, inspired by his grandfather and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. This mission led him and his wife, Dr. Kavita Satav, to Melghat—a remote tribal area with little to no access to healthcare.

In 1997, the Satavs founded *Mahan Trust*, starting with a simple thatched-roof hut to provide medical services to the tribals, who suffered from preventable diseases and conditions. Over the past 27 years, the trust has grown into a multi-speciality hospital, the Mahatma Gandhi Tribal Hospital, transforming healthcare for the tribal people of Melghat. They have treated over 1.25 lakh people, reduced child mortality by 68%, malnutrition by 75%, and adult deaths by 50%.

Dr. Ashish and Dr. Kavita’s work has involved extensive community engagement and local capacity building. By training tribal women to treat children and identify diseases, conducting medical camps, and running specialized programs for addiction and maternal-child health, they have created sustainable solutions for these marginalized communities. Their impact goes beyond healthcare—through kitchen gardens and nutrition farms, the trust has also tackled food security issues, and their policy advocacy has influenced 30 state-level initiatives.

The Satavs' relentless dedication has touched over a million lives, turning a childhood vision into a reality that continues to change the future of Melghat’s tribal people.

Dr. Ashish Satav: a doctor’s journey into Melghat forest

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