India Health Fund (IHF), AVPN and the Bayer Foundation are excited to announce their partnership with the William J. Clinton Foundation (WJCF) to create a sustainable, institutionalized, climate-resilient urban health model that will transform India’s dengue response through predictive, data-driven, and community-embedded surveillance systems. The project – SHIELD – Surveillance and Health Intelligence for Equitable Local Dengue Response – will be led by WJCF, in collaboration with ARTPARK at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

India accounts for nearly one-third of global dengue burden, underscoring the need to strengthen proactive, data-driven surveillance system through a well-coordinated public-private partnership and enhanced community engagement. Our support to SHIELD- a predictive and preventive dengue control platform, aims to catalyse the transition from reactive to predictive, tech-enabled dengue control at scale. Piloting in partnership with Bengaluru’s municipal corporation – Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), SHIELD will embed predictive risk intelligence at the ward level empowering government ownership and proactive outbreak detection. The project also aims for a scalable impact by:

• Integrating SHIELD’s PRISM-H and AI predictive engine with Karnataka’s and national vector control dashboards for holistic surveillance and response.
• Piloting tech-enabled Larvae Source Management, combining predictive insights with citizen engagement and Rapid Response Teams to disrupt mosquito breeding.
• Developing a replicable public-private partnership model to enhance surveillance and care delivery.

Embedding SHIELD within India’s National Digital Health Mission will ensure sustainability as a digital public health good, owned and expanded by public institutions to safeguard communities nationwide. It will also serve as a replicable framework for other low- and middle-income countries.

This partnership is rooted in IHF’s broader mission to support innovative, integrated solutions that address the growing health impacts of climate change, particularly the rising threat of vector-borne diseases like dengue.

Earlier in 2025, IHF launched its first ever call for proposals – the Climate x Health Lighthouse Fund – together with AVPN and Bayer Foundation to bridge the financing gap at the intersection of climate resilience and public health. WJCF is among the inaugural grantees of the Lighthouse Fund.

Leaders’ speak:

Mr. Harkesh Dabas, Managing Director, WJCF:

“WJCF is proud to lead the SHIELD initiative in partnership with ARTPARK in Bengaluru, with the generous support of India Health Fund and AVPN. By embedding AI-powered predictive tools into real-time city surveillance, we aim to identify emerging hotspots, enable targeted interventions, and drive multi-sector coordination across health, civic, and environmental teams. This convergence of technology, governance, and community engagement will create a scalable, climate-resilient public health model. In the months ahead, we look forward to supporting data-driven decision-making with local authorities, health teams, and communities, while developing a replicable framework for other cities across India”.

Mr. Madhav Joshi, CEO, India Health Fund:

“Our support to WJCF’s SHIELD is a commitment to accelerate the climate-smart health solutions towards mitigating vector-borne diseases. This is a catalytic step towards not only the transition from reactive to predictive, tech-enabled dengue control at scale but also enable a model that can integrate with national digital health strategies for long-lasting societal benefits”.

Dr. Chitkala Kalidas, Executive Director of Bayer Foundation:

“Climate change is an urgent health crisis that demands a collaborative response. The intersection of climate and health requires robust public-private partnerships to mobilize resources, share knowledge, and foster innovation. By working together, we can leverage diverse strengths to develop sustainable solutions that protect vulnerable populations and ensure equitable access to healthcare in the face of climate challenges.”

Ms. Madhavika Bajoria, Executive Director, Health Impact at AVPN:

“Tackling the urgent challenges at the nexus of climate and health requires bold collaboration and catalytic capital. Through this partnership, we aim to surface and scale transformative solutions that not only foster climate resilience but also strengthen health systems across Asia, ensuring vulnerable communities are not left behind.”