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Smile Foundation has been conferred with the prestigious CSR Health Impact Awards for its health initiative “Smile on Wheels” across India.
The award was received by Smile Foundation at the CSR Health Impact Awards 2019-20 during the CSR India Health Summit, an initiative of the IHW Council held at New Delhi on June 27, 2019.
Smile Foundation runs 38 fully functional medical vans catering to the health care needs of poor communities in various state of India and hopes to add at least 40 more in the coming two years.
Speaking about the focus on health as part of CSR funding it receives, Santanu Mishra, co-founder and executive trustee, Smile Foundation said, “We are committed to the sustainable well-being of underserved people, and believe that good health is key to well being of the whole family. If health care needs of the poor are catered to, we automatically off-load the poor of major expenses and worries, thereby helping them allocate their resources to other critical needs like food and education.”
Expressing happiness on receiving the award, Satnam Singh, General Manager, Health initiatives at Smile Foundation, “Smile has been relentlessly serving the poor communities in diverse ways by simplifying health access problems and synergizing doctors, paramedics, CSR fund providers, and communities to take healthcare literally at the doorstep of the underserved sections of the society,” he said.
“This award is recognition of our work done towards participating in solving India’s healthcare problems.”
Over 3.4 Lakh beneficiaries have benefitted from the Smile on Wheels intervention and nearly 70% of these beneficiaries are women and children. 10, 500 + patients suffering from diabetes are receiving regular medical treatment and medicines from the Mobile Medical Unit services in function since 2006.
The Smile on Wheels van provides access to medicine and healthcare to the underprivileged through outpatient sessions undertaken by the onboard Doctor, Nurse, and Pharmacist. The Van treats patients and provides pathological services and Information Education Communication activities to promote healthy living habits and tackle chronic diseases. For patients with requirements for more advanced treatment the Van provides referrals to Hospitals in the region.
Each Mobile Medical Unit provides its services in 20 different slum locations with fortnightly visits at each. On a monthly basis, each van sees a footfall of 1300 patients. In addition to the services provided at the Mobile Medical Unit, the implementation team carries out monthly IEC activities in communities and nearby schools to generate awareness on health, hygiene, nutrition and any other prevalent diseases. The Van also provided critical service of early detection and access to proper medical treatment during malaria and dengue outbreaks during monsoon months.
Website :http://www.smilefoundationindia.org/
