New Delhi; 30th of October 2024: Smile Foundation has been conferred with the ASSOCHAM Best CSR Excellence in Healthcare Award 2024 in the NGO category during the 3rd Healthcare Summit in New Delhi.
The award aims to recognize social initiative that has impacted in the upliftment of healthcare status in India and has benefitted the community at large.
In the financial year of 2023-24, Smile Foundation has provided 1.3 million treatments through curative, preventive and promotive services through 93 Mobile Medical Units, eight Mobile Telemedicine Units, four Mobile Dental Units, three static clinics and numerous Multi-Speciality Health Camps across India. The healthcare programme has been covering 1,100 communities (urban, rural, hilly areas and desserts) spread across 73 districts (including 26 aspirational districts) in 17 states of India.
During the year, 1.06 million individuals benefitted at their doorsteps that included 75 per cent children and women. Services are free of cost, which include consultation with qualified doctors, pathological services, medicines, referral etc.
Smile Foundation aims to achieve reduced out-of-pocket-expenses, availability and accessibility of healthcare at doorstep, improved overall health seeking behaviour, increased awareness on maternal and child health, and strengthened linkages with government facilities for secondary and tertiary care. In addition, increase in people accessing various local public health services and schemes, and strengthened government healthcare delivery system are also part of the programme objectives.
The healthcare programme of Smile Foundation aligns itself with 10 activities or services (excluding 11 and 12) out of 12 mandated ones under the Ayushman Bharat.
In order to enhance quality and improve outcomes, Smile Foundation, in alignment with National Digital Health Mission, have also been using relevant technological platforms to provide general and specialised healthcare in aspirational districts. It includes telemedicine services and smart diagnostics to facilitate screening of patients. The programme has also been leveraging and linking patients to e-Sanjeevani platform to access healthcare services through smart phones or by encouraging people to visit the nearest Health and Wellness Centres.
“Being recognized with the Best CSR Excellence in Healthcare Award by ASSOCHAM is an honour that acknowledges the tireless efforts of our dedicated healthcare teams across India on the ground,” said Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation.
The accolade is a recognition of Smile Foundation’s work that has brought healthcare to aspirational districts and tribal populations, reaching some of the hardest-to-reach and underserved communities, addressing unique challenges across difficult terrains, and ensuring no one is left behind. Beyond providing essential healthcare services, Smile Foundation has also been creating comprehensive awareness programmes covering child health, maternal and elderly care, communicable diseases, and educating communities on crucial lifestyle changes, effectively complementing the governmental health missions.
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