Mumbai: Mondelez India, through its decade old CSR program, Shubh Aarambh, helped strengthen primary healthcare by supporting 200 Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) across four states – Solan(Himachal Pradesh), Bhind(Madhya Pradesh), Tirupati(Andhra Pradesh) & Pune(Maharashtra). This effort has strengthened essential medical services in over 800 villages, reaching more than 1.45 million people who previously had limited access to healthcare. By improving maternal and child health, supporting the management of non-communicable diseases, and encouraging community involvement, the initiative makes a tangible difference in people’s lives, ensuring more families receive the care they need.
Aligned with the Government of India’s Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) initiative, the brand has presented a landmark impact report to relevant government authorities, highlighting key insights from managing these 200 Health & Wellness Centres. The program has led to a 58% increase in patient footfall, with 11,618 high-risk pregnancies identified and referred for specialized care. Additionally, over 7,800 children under five were referred for advanced treatment, while 160 Jan Arogya Samitis were equipped with tools to enhance community-driven healthcare monitoring.
The initiative has significantly strengthened healthcare services across these centres:
● 96% of Sub-Health Centres (SHCs) provide antenatal care
● 84% of HWCs offer postnatal care
● 97% ensure routine immunization
● 87% cater to adolescent health services needs
● 12% increase in pregnancy registrations
● 12 HWCs received Kayakalp accreditation for excellence in hygiene and infection control
● 10 HWCs earned NQAS certification for meeting national quality standards
● 1,028 healthcare workers were trained to enhance maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services
By improving access to essential medical services, the program has also led to a 21% reduction in out-of-pocket medical expenses, making healthcare more affordable for local communities.
Speaking on the milestone, Ophira Bhatia, VP, CGA Lead (India & AMEA), Mondelez India, said, “For over a decade, we have been focused on strengthening communities and improving livelihoods. As part of this commitment, we identified healthcare as a key area – ensuring quality medical services. We worked closely with local health authorities to improve accessibility, affordability, and service quality at the grassroots level by strengthening the government led Health & Wellness Centre (HWCs) ecosystem. We have been able to cover over 800 villages effectively. The insights from this initiative will serve as a model for expanding primary healthcare services nationwide and highlighting the importance of preventive and community-led healthcare solutions.”
Beyond infrastructure and service enhancements, the program has also advanced gender-responsive and socially inclusive healthcare by training over 800 healthcare staff to integrate gender and social considerations into healthcare services. Additional interventions include:
● Iron Sucrose Intravenous administration for anaemia management
● Targeted support for high-risk pregnancies
● Customized health communication materials to improve healthcare awareness
In alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat, Mondelez India hosted a Knowledge Exchange Workshop, convening key stakeholders to share best practices and explore strategies for scaling primary healthcare services. Discussions reinforced the importance of HWCs in strengthening healthcare inclusivity and accessibility, emphasizing the need for continued investments in such initiatives.