Seth G.S. Medical College, KEM and Piramal Foundation to address healthcare needs of aspirational districts in Maharashtra

The collaborative effort will focus on enhancing therapeutic and preventive aspects of disease management

Piramal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Piramal Group, Seth G.S. Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEM) with the support of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have joined hands to address the healthcare needs of aspirational districts in Maharashtra. The knowledge partnership’s aim, as outlined in a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is to enhance the well-being of 28 lakh tribal residents in these districts.

The initiative will commence in Palghar district, affecting over 68 per cent of the tribal population residing there, with plans to expand learnings to other districts. The program aims to annually improve health indicators by 6-8 per cent, addressing issues such as malnutrition, mother and child health, anemia, and tuberculosis among tribal populations.

The collaborative effort will focus on enhancing therapeutic and preventive aspects of disease management. KEM Hospital will provide technical support to Piramal Foundation, under its Aspirational Bharat Collaborative program, including teleconsultation diagnostic support and capacity building training for frontline health workers in the targeted districts. Furthermore, the program aims to boost healthcare capabilities by providing training workshops for district-level health staff, tribal healers, and medical students volunteers. Health department staff will be trained to address various health issues. Tribal healers will receive training in primary healthcare, recognising their vital role in tribal communities. The program also plans to create a joint curriculum for medical students to volunteer, learn, and teach in Maharashtra’s Aspirational Districts through a fellowship programme, promoting knowledge sharing and community service.

The program’s comprehensive agenda includes establishing VHSND sites, Anemia Mukt Abhiyaan, Tuberculosis-Free initiatives, improving child and maternal health, addressing malnutrition and non-communicable diseases, conducting health camps, and implementing school health programs.