HEALTH
Concern India Foundation has made significant strides in the health sector. Our efforts have concentrated on three primary areas in the reporting year:
Health System Strengthening:
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Enhanced government health facilities by donating medical and non-medical equipment in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
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Provided 2-3 years of Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) for equipment and trained healthcare workers on usage and documentation.
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​Key Achievements in Karnataka:
PHC Upgrades in Hoskote Taluk:
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Donated 160 medical and 63 non-medical equipment units to Mallasandra and Sullibele PHCs.
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Installed solar-powered water heaters and mosquito meshes for better hygiene and infection prevention.
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Conducted six sustainability training sessions for healthcare workers and doctors.
Key Achievements in Maharashtra:
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Ambulance Services:
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Donated three Trax ambulances to PHCs in Nashik District and a Type C ambulance to Gangapur District.
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Portable X-ray Machine:
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Donated a digital X-ray machine to Alibaug District Hospital, enabling 3,500 screenings in two months.
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Support for PHCs in Lonavala:
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Provided essential non-medical equipment such as tables, chairs, washing machines, and printers.
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Community Health Programs:
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Implemented the Integrated Village Health Program in 6 villages and 3 thandas in Rangareddy District, Telangana.
Key Initiatives:
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Conducted 10 healthcare training sessions for 208 participants.
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Organized 15 health camps, screening 1,900 individuals, with 73% diagnosed with non-communicable diseases.
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Formed 6 women’s clubs with 56 members for health advocacy and awareness.
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Developed health education materials and promoted maternal and child healthcare practices.
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Engaged communities through nighttime street plays to raise health awareness.
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Support for Grassroots Partners:
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Empowered organizations in Mumbai working with elderly populations in slums and underserved areas.
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Provided daycare services, occupational and physiotherapy, and medical check-ups to over 350 seniors.
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Delivered home-based care including home visits, nutritional support, and companionship for homebound elderly.
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Organized sessions on health awareness, nutrition, wellness, and legal rights for seniors.
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These initiatives have significantly enhanced healthcare access, awareness, and quality of life for underserved communities.
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Empowering Communities through Strengthened Health Facilities
We have observed that many individuals in underserved communities access and utilize government healthcare services. Many of the times these facilities are limited due to a lack of equipment or proper infrastructure, effectively leading to a reliance on traditional healing methods and delayed medical interventions. Traditional healthcare practices contribute to this challenge, limiting community members to relying on home remedies and local healers for treatment, rather than seeking timely medical interventions. Hence strengthening health facilities is one of our priority areas, as they are vital in providing essential services to underserved communities or last mile.
We have supported health facilities in Karnataka and Maharashtra by donating much needed medical and non-medical equipment. This equipment has made it possible for healthcare workers to perform their job roles and provide treatment to all. We have also trained these health workers on how to use the equipment and documentation of the same. 2-3 years AMC has also been provided.
Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs)
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Renovated, refurbished, and equipped 17 primary health centres and sub-centers
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Toilets renovated and ensure full-time water connections in 17 primary health centres and sub-centers
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Installing water filters in 17 PHCs/sub centres
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14 PHC/sub-centers supported with digital upgradation which included computers & printers and electrical connections
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5 PHCs & 3 sub-centers enabled with solar electricity panels with inverters of 7 KVA and 6 backup batteries with undisrupted electricity supply for refrigeration and use of other medical appliances.
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Solar Street Lights installed in 5 PHCs
Ambulance support
Donating an ambulance to a government hospital is a significant contribution that can profoundly impact healthcare services within a community. We have realised it enhances emergency response, makes health care accessible, improves medical infrastructure, supports public health services, and promotes community engagement. Concern has successfully donated 16 ambulances in Maharashtra and Telangana. These vehicles have made a tangible difference in the lives of individuals, ensuring timely medical assistance and transportation to those in need. We remain committed to expanding our efforts and making a lasting impact on healthcare services within communities. Our well-wishers and donors have played an integral role in making these contributions, inspiring others to join the cause and support healthcare initiatives.
Community awareness
Concern India Foundation's Community Health and Development program is specifically designed to address the critical need for healthcare access in remote areas, ensuring that people in these communities receive the medical care they deserve. Our focus extends to individuals of all ages, ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage. Here are some key aspects of our program:
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Outreach and Maternal Health: Our dedicated outreach team actively engages with pregnant and lactating mothers, complementing the efforts of Anganwadi workers. We address the issue of anaemia among children, women, adolescents and youth, by conducting screenings, health camps, school intervention and nutritional sessions. We also strengthen the Asha Workers to do the outreach in the communities. Concern has supported over 200 Asha Workers with health kits, which helps them to diagnose and refer patients to Primary Health Care.
The Asha kit helps to monitor the new born baby at their home or village on a monthly basis. This aids in early detection of diseases like weight loss (malnutrition) of babies, skin rashes, fever etc. This helps refer newborn babies for further treatment.
Non-Communicable Diseases diagnosis and link to treatment: We conduct health camps aimed at identifying individuals at risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, heart ailments and problems with eyesight.
Through 600 health camps, we have screened over 70,000 people and provided necessary referrals for treatment. Our approach emphasises awareness sessions, linking individuals to hospitals, ensuring medication follow-up and promoting lifestyle changes within the community.
Collaboration with Local Health Centers and low cost private hospitals specifically target hard-to-reach populations such as labourers.
Through the Village Health and Development program, Concern India Foundation is dedicated to bridging the gap in healthcare access for remote communities. We prioritise early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care, ultimately improving the health outcomes and well-being of the individuals we serve.
Suraksha
‘Suraksha’ - a comprehensive and holistic health and hygiene program for adolescent girls and boys aged 9 to 15 in schools and communities.
We recognize the significance of adolescent health and hygiene in the overall development of children, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds in both rural and urban areas. Sadly, gender inequalities, taboos, social norms, cultural barriers, poverty and inadequate basic facilities such as toilets and clean water impede the growth of these children. Moreover, the lack of accurate knowledge and skills to navigate the challenges of adolescence further compounds their difficulties.
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Through our Suraksha training program, we have empowered over 55,000 adolescent girls and boys with vital knowledge and skills to navigate the challenges of this crucial stage of life. To ensure the well-being and dignity of these young individuals, we have installed sanitary pad vending machines in 10 schools. This initiative aims to promote menstrual hygiene and provide easy access to sanitary products, eliminating barriers that may hinder girls' regular attendance in school. Additionally, we have distributed over 40,000 Suraksha kits among adolescent girls and boys. These kits include essential items that support their hygiene practices, further enhancing their confidence and overall well-being.
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