CSR Healthcare Initiatives Improve Access and Infrastructure Across 120 Districts: SoulAce Report

In a remote village in East Sikkim, visiting the nearest clinic meant trekking for hours through rugged terrain—an impossible journey for someone old or sick. But two years back, primary healthcare came to their doorsteps as part of a CSR initiative launched by a pharmaceutical company.  There was excitement as a Health on Wheels van rolled into the village, and a team of medical professionals stepped out, setting up a small but efficient clinic right in the heart of the village. Patients lined up for free consultations, medicines, and basic tests like blood pressure and blood sugar screenings.

The initiative has been a game-changer as primary healthcare providers not only treat illnesses but also educate people about preventive care, nutrition, and hygiene.

The Health on Wheels initiative, in collaboration with Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers and district hospitals, also ensured that patients requiring specialized care were referred to the right facilities. Earlier, people would suffer in silence but now, they have hope. The mobile clinic is more than just a CSR initiative—it is a lifeline, proving that even the most distant communities deserve quality healthcare.

CSR in Healthcare: Strengthening Infrastructure & Saving Lives Across India

Across India, mainly in underserved communities CSR-driven healthcare initiatives proved to be a transformative force. A  report from SoulAce, India’s leading CSR consulting and monitoring firm, revealed the profound impact of these initiatives. As part of this landscape study conducted in FY 2022-23, SoulAce gathered insights from over 100 impact assessments across 120 districts in 22 states. The report highlights how CSR programs are going the extra mile in  addressing critical health challenges faced by diverse populations, including migrant workers, women, children, and the elderly. These initiatives are making diagnostics and essential medicines more affordable, ensuring early detection and timely treatment.

The impact of the Health on Wheels initiative was impressive as 90 percent of the target population now had access to diagnostic services, contributing to a 50 percent improvement in morbidity rates. The time between diagnosis and treatment has decreased by 15-20 days, while costs for regular pathology tests have been reduced by 75 percent, easing the financial burden on patients. Moreover, 50 percent of patients were now more willing to seek diagnostic tests due to these subsidies.

CSR projects such as the one launched in the remote village of Sikkim are reshaping healthcare access and strengthening India’s healthcare infrastructure through collaboration with public health institutions. 

These initiatives are a beacon of hope for those living in remote, rural, and urban slum areas, bridging critical healthcare gaps and making a lasting difference in people’s lives with contributions from more than 70 leading companies.

Focusing on the growing influence of CSR in shaping both community welfare and corporate success, Adarsh Kataruka, Managing Director of SoulAce, says, “CSR initiatives in healthcare play a crucial role in helping businesses support the communities they serve. Our impact assessment of over 100 CSR projects run by leading corporations and foundations across India showcased the significant, positive effects these programs are having.”

“For companies, implementing CSR programs not only fosters goodwill among customers but also aids in attracting talent and enhancing their market reputation. This positive trend is expected to grow in the near future,” he says. 

The report covered a comprehensive range of healthcare interventions, including:

– Healthcare infrastructure development

– Preventive healthcare initiatives

– Strengthening pharmacies and diagnostic services

– Specialized medical camps

– E-consultations and telemedicine services

– Maternal and child healthcare

– Epidemic and pandemic management

– Community-based nutritional support

There was a strong focus on maternal and child health, prenatal care, safe childbirth in the CSR programs which will eventually contribute to a healthier future for communities.

The report underscored the positive impact of CSR initiatives on healthcare infrastructure:

– Infrastructure Development: CSR efforts have a major role in building and enhancing healthcare hubs, like expanding existing facilities, establishing specialized laboratories and ICUs, and supplying critical medical equipment.

– Increased Patient Footfall: There was a 50% rise in the number of people accessing primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services across institutions.

– Surgical Access: A 50% increase was noted in the number of people undergoing minor and major surgeries at more affordable rates.

– Disease Reduction: CSR programs lead to a 75% decrease in seasonal and chronic diseases. Timely intervention in handling seasonal and chronic diseases was mitigated to avoid spread within the community.

– Enhanced Service Delivery: 78% of healthcare professionals saw improved infrastructure boosted the efficiency of service delivery and allowed institutions to serve a wider population.

The report highlights that in remote areas there was a 100 percent reduction in travel time and costs, thanks to the introduction of mobile medical units (MMUs). Also, 70 percent of the target population has benefited from primary healthcare medicines available at the MMUs. There was a reduction of 60 percent in seasonal and other diseases.

Telemedicine Bridges Gaps in Andhra Pradesh’s Remote Communities

Access to advanced medical care was a distant dream for residents of 265 Gram Panchayats, in the rural expanses of the Vijayawada Parliamentary Constituency in Krishna district, in Andhra Pradesh.

A  CSR initiative launched a groundbreaking telemedicine program to bridge this divide after observing the healthcare gap. The intent  was to provide primary healthcare through technology, specifically aimed at early detection and management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which included prevalent ophthalmic conditions and other common diseases.

A hub-and-spoke model was followed which took the initiative to new heights. There was a central hub with specialist doctors and advanced medical technology. It was digitally connected to 20 primary healthcare centers or ‘spokes’, strategically located across remote rural areas. These centers offered consultations from experts, which was initially a luxury for the rural inhabitants.

It reduced morbidity and mortality rates from NCDs and common diseases and also cut down on the high costs associated with advanced medical care. It meant timely access to treatment for patients like consultations for eye care, heart conditions, and other health issues that had previously been untreated due to the lack of local healthcare infrastructure.

The initiative resulted in a 45 percent increase in institutionalized deliveries, a 30 percent reduction in low-birth-weight babies, and a 25 percent increase in childhood immunization rates.

Maternal and child mortality saw a 40 percent decrease. There  was a 60 percent reduction in seasonal and chronic diseases. It highlighted the power of technology in overcoming geographical barriers and delivering accessible, affordable healthcare to those who need it.

CSR programs are fostering a culture of preventive healthcare, reducing long-term health risks, thereby complementing governmental efforts in achieving Social Development Goal 3.

The urban-rural divide and regional disparities in healthcare is also bridged by CSR initiatives which ensure equitable access to medical care for many. CSR  programs in Healthcare are a testament that quality healthcare is a right for every individual and not a privilege!

About SoulAce

SoulAce is India’s leading CSR consulting and monitoring & evaluation firm. Over the last 15 years, SoulAce has delivered over 3,000 CSR projects across 28 states and 200+ districts in India. Some of the clients include Tata Sons, P&G, IBM, Oracle, Reliance Foundation, Hindustan Unilever, Colgate Palmolive, Asian Paints, Larsen & Toubro, ABB, Kotak Mahindra Bank, among others. SoulAce’s major verticals include CSR Impact Assessment and Fund Utilization Reviews, Advisory, CSR Monitoring & Evaluation, and Employee Volunteering. It also has a CSR project management platform to help organizations meet CSR compliance.

For further details and to know about our services please contact [email protected]

Website: https://www.soulace.in/

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