A free of cost doorstep healthcare service for underprivileged people across 30 villages in and around Vadodara, Gujarat
Vadodara, July 14, 2023: Under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Kotak
Mahindra Prime Ltd. (KMPL) has associated with Smile Foundation, an Indian development
organisation, to launch ‘Smile on Wheels’ initiative, in Vadodara, Gujarat. ‘Smile on Wheels’
will provide free doorstep healthcare through two mobile medical units that will deliver
curative and preventive treatment to underserved people spread across 30 villages in the
Vadodara district of Gujarat. The collaborative efforts of Kotak Prime and Smile Foundation
resonates and complements the Government’s vision of quality healthcare for all.
‘Smile on Wheels’ initiative will enhance accessibly of the underserved to primary healthcare
services and encourage healthcare seeking behaviour in rural clusters of the Vadodara
district. The two Mobile Medical Units (MMU) are well-equipped to benefit underprivileged
people including, pregnant and lactating mothers, and children among others who are
unable to visit a healthcare facility owing to their health condition or mobility issues. Before
the formal launch of this initiative, a month-long pilot of the project was run in Vadodara,
which was conducted with 38 outpatient department (OPDs) benefiting over 2,000
individuals, comprising women and children.
Vyomesh Kapasi, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Prime Ltd. said, “To address the healthcare
needs of the underserved community, Kotak Prime has provided CSR funding to Simile
Foundation to roll out two mobile medical units in Vadodara. The two mobile healthcare
units will provide primary healthcare support to the underserved and improve quality of life
through last-mile connectivity. The Smile on Wheels initiative gives door-step healthcare
access and is our contribution to strengthen the National Health Mission, commissioned by
the Government of India.”
Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder & Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said, “We thank Kotak
Mahindra Prime Ltd. to support us and complement governmental mission that envisages
achieving universal access to equitable, affordable and quality healthcare services in line
with people's need. We are glad to participate in the public-private developmental
endeavours in ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being as envisioned under the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is crucial in the nation’s progress,”
Kotak Karma is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) identity of Kotak Mahindra Group.
About Kotak Mahindra Prime
Kotak Mahindra Prime limited (KMPL) is a subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited and is in the
business of financing all passenger vehicles & two wheelers. KMPL is India’s leading car finance
company since 1996 and started financing two wheelers since 2018. The company is dedicated to
financing dealers and retail customers. The company offers financing in the form of loans for the
entire range of passenger cars, multi utility vehicles, pre-owned cars & two wheelers. The company
also offers inventory funding and term loans to car & two wheeler dealers. KMPL has preferred
financier relationships with various manufacturers in India and has a retail distribution network
comprising of 133 branches in 23 states in the country and a wide network of direct marketing
associates and agencies supporting its distribution network.
https://www.primeloans.kotak.com
About Smile Foundation
Smile Foundation is a national development organization directly benefitting over 1.5 million
underprivileged children and their families every year through more than 400 welfare projects in
education, healthcare, livelihood and women empowerment spread across 2,000 remote villages
and urban slums in 25 states of India.
www.smilefoundationindia.org
Smile on Wheels is a national-level mobile healthcare initiative from Smile Foundation that benefits
underprivileged communities. Through this programme, well-equipped mobile medical units, along
with specialized doctors, nurses, and medical staff, reach out to villages and underserved urban
communities to provide crucial access to primary healthcare services. As of today, Smile Foundation
has been operating 75 Smile on Wheels projects covering 868 villages and slums in 52 districts across
16 states of India. Till date more than a million children and their families have received free
healthcare services across India.
For further information, please contact:
Revathi Pandit
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Mobile: +91 98202
37909
Revathi.pandit@kota
k.com
Rohit Panchal
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Mobile: 9664225963
Rohit.panchal2@kota
k.com
Suvidha Awle
Weber Shandwick
Mobile: +91
9769777935
Sawle@webershandwic
k.com
Shrenya Priyadarshini
Weber Shandwick
Mobile: +91
7021073983
spriyadarshini@webe
rshandwick.com