The role of the Catholic Church in the healthcare-seeking behaviour: A qualitative enquiry from Karnataka, India

By supporting socio-economic determinants of health, easing access to care, and advancing moral principles that direct patient-centred practice, religious communities have long been essential partners in health systems. Particularly in areas without institutional health infrastructure, faith-based organisations frequently mobilise resources, provide culturally sensitive care, and reach out to marginalised communities. The Catholic Church in the southern region of South India, with a focus on various parts of Urban Karnataka, has made full use of Sunday Mass services as a strategic opportunity to organise enrollment drives and camps for state-specific social health insurance schemes. This study aims to understand and explore the role of the Catholic Church across various parts of Karnataka, India, in relation to enrolment behaviour under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka Scheme. This study qualitatively enquires from fellow believers on the role the church plays in their healthcare-seeking behaviour. It was observed that households enrolled in the AB-Ark scheme without encountering operational challenges at the ground level, such as delays or procedural ambiguity, due to the support of the churches.It was observed that through such interventions, healthcare is uplifted, and, along with it, the Catholic Church-led hospitals extend their reach beyond their Christian community; everyone benefits, thus creating an overall climate of well-being. The concept of health cannot be studied in isolation.