Mondelez India, through its decade-old CSR programme, Shubh Aarambh, has made significant strides in improving primary healthcare by supporting 200 Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) across four states: Solan (Himachal Pradesh), Bhind (Madhya Pradesh), Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), and Pune (Maharashtra). This initiative has reached over 1.45 million people in more than 800 villages, ensuring better access to quality healthcare for communities previously lacking essential medical services.
Aligned with the Government of India’s Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) initiative, Mondelez India’s efforts have led to a remarkable 58% increase in patient footfall. Among the highlights, 11,618 high-risk pregnancies have been identified and referred for specialised care, while more than 7,800 children under five were referred for advanced treatment. Additionally, 160 Jan Arogya Samitis were equipped with tools to improve community-led healthcare monitoring.
The programme has significantly enhanced healthcare services across these centres, with 96% of Sub-Health Centres (SHCs) now providing antenatal care, 84% offering postnatal care, and 97% ensuring routine immunisation. Furthermore, 87% of centres cater to adolescent health needs, and pregnancy registrations have increased by 12%.
In terms of quality improvements, 12 HWCs received Kayakalp accreditation for excellence in hygiene and infection control, while 10 HWCs earned NQAS certification for meeting national quality standards. A total of 1,028 healthcare workers have been trained to enhance maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services.
The initiative has also led to a 21% reduction in out-of-pocket medical expenses, making healthcare more affordable for local communities. Additionally, over 800 healthcare staff received training to incorporate gender and social considerations into healthcare services, promoting gender-inclusive healthcare.
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.”
Further interventions within the programme include the administration of Iron Sucrose Intravenous therapy for anaemia management, targeted support for high-risk pregnancies, and the distribution of customised health communication materials to raise healthcare awareness.
In line with the national vision of Viksit Bharat, Mondelez India recently hosted a Knowledge Exchange Workshop to facilitate discussions among key stakeholders, sharing best practices and exploring strategies to scale primary healthcare services. The workshop underscored the role of HWCs in enhancing healthcare inclusivity and accessibility, stressing the need for continued investments in such programmes.
