CSR Health Impact Awards 2018 honours leaders’ efforts in health sector

The 2^nd edition of CSR Health Impact Awards recognised and applauded CSR-based health initiatives that had benefitted thousands of Indians with healthier outcomes

Apollo Tyres, Aditya Birla Capital, Indraprastha Gas, Essilor, Akshay Patra, and Vedanta were amongst the top awardees in the exclusive event which was graced by Chief Guest Vijay Goel, Minister of state for Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India, and Guest of Honour, Anupriya Patel, Minister of state for Health and Family Welfare. Both of them were joined by co-founders, Kamal Narayan Omer and Nikky Gupta, patron Dr Dharminder Nagar, MD, Paras Healthcare, and the top brass of corporates and industry.

In his address to the audience, Goel said “Health in India is most important in villages and rural areas which are lacking doctors and hospitals. Also, there is a need to move towards holistic healthcare through Yoga and Ayurveda through indigenous sciences. It is important for organisations to own-up the responsibility towards health, sanitation, and environment and to utilise CSR funds in the most efficient, transparent, and effective manner.”

While Patel congratulated the organisers for creating this initiative and to all the winners and participants, she inspired organisations to continue with the good work irrespective of whether one is awarded or not.

“Various enterprises have been contributing to the society even before the CSR funding initiatives came up. But, the tendency to do good must continue,” she said.

Highlighting a series of government initiatives impacting India’s health scenario for the better, Patel added “As announced by our Prime Minister from the Red Fort, our Jan Aarogya Abhiyan is all set to be rolled out in September, which seeks to cater to each and every aspect of healthcare. The scheme is enabling access to primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare is something which has never happened in this scale ever before. The scheme will not only ensure people’s health but also improve existing community health centers to healthcare and wellness centers.”

The awards evening also included a knowledge session with experts from industry joining together for a panel discussion which deliberated on how CSR efforts can contribute towards better health. Dr Sanjiv Kumar, Director IIHMR Delhi; P Balaji, Vodafone Director-External Affairs and CSR; Ravi Bhatnagar, Director External Affairs and Partnerships, for Reckitt Benckiser; Ajoy Khandheria, Founder, Gramin Healthcare participated in the panel discussion which was moderated by Dr Bobby John, Co-Founder India Health and Wellness Summit. The panel discussed upon how a positive atmosphere is instrumental in inspiring good work in the sphere of health.

Awarding 26 organisations over 12 categories divided into three groups, the initiative recognized the good work done in the sphere of health by the industry utilising their CSR funds. Some of the initiatives that were recognized were driven by the likes of Max Bupa Health Insurance, Mahindra Finance, Johnson & Johnson, Religare, Goodyear India, Gujarat Road Infrastructure Company, Jagran Pehel and Gramin Health Care.

Making it a level playing field, the award categories were divided into three groups gold, silver, and bronze which invited companies registering a turnover of more than INR 1000 crores, between 250 and 1000 crores, and less than INR 250 crores respectively to nominate their CSR health initiatives.