Shell and Smile Foundation have come together to launch ‘NXplorers Junior’, an innovative educational programme in Thrissur district. During the first year, 69 schools of the district will be included in the programme.
NXplorers is Shell’s global flagship Social Investment STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) educational programme, which aims to benefit school children by enabling them to understand, navigate and address local and global challenges, as underlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
NXplorers is also aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and it envisions to complement the latter’s objectives.
Smile Foundation has been implementing the innovative programme NXplorers, benefiting less-privileged students from government schools, studying in rural and hard-to-reach areas in Telangana. Its design also includes endeavour to create awareness amongst parents on the importance of STEM education, especially for girls.
The programme is being rolled out in concurrence with the educational authorities of the State government. Besides students and teachers, parents and communities are also involved actively while implementing the programme so that it remains sustainable in the long-term.
The NXplorers Juniors programme will train and nurture school children in the age group of 10-12 years.
The specially designed ‘NXplorers Junior Workshops’ will administer the importance of water, improving food production, and promoting energy conservation. Shell and Smile Foundation plan to benefit 25,000 school children through the Nxplorers programme in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Telangana during the first year.
गुड़गांव, ब्यूरो: स्वास्थ्य सेवाओं में आर्टिफिशियल इंटेलिजेंस (एआई), इंटरनेट, डेटा प्रबंधन जैसी नई तकनीक के प्रयोग से भारत में दूरदराज के गांवों में रहने वाले लोगों के लिए स्वास्थ्य सेवाओं की डिलीवरी में क्रांतिकारी बदलाव ला रहा है। एआई तकनीक का उपयोग करके, स्वास्थ्य सेवाएं अब दूरदराज के क्षेत्रों में रहने वाले लोगों को भी आसानी से उपलब्ध हो रही हैं। इससे प्राथमिक देखभाल की गुणवत्ता में काफी सुधार देखने को मिल रहा है। नई तकनीकों में स्वास्थ्य देखभाल संबंधी असमानताओं को कम करने और दूरदराज के समुदायों में समग्र स्वास्थ्य परिणामों में उल्लेखनीय सुधार करने की क्षमता है।
स्माइल फाउंडेशन की एल.ई.ए.डी. (सीखें, संलग्न करें, संरेखित करें, वितरित करें) ने हाल ही में नई दिल्ली में सम्पन्न हुए तीन दिवसीय शिखर सम्मेलन में इस बात पर जोर दिया कि कैसे मोबाइल हेल्थकेयर सिस्टम और प्रौद्योगिकियों के सही उपयोग से लाखों लोगों तक स्वास्थ्य सेवाओं को पहुंचाया जा सकता है और उन्हें विभिन्न सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य प्रणालियों और योजनाओं में मुख्यधारा में ला सकता है।
स्माइल फाउंडेशन के सह-संस्थापक और कार्यकारी ट्रस्टी शांतनु मिश्रा का कहना है, “आर्टिफिशियल इंटेलिजेंस सहित व्यावहारिक तकनीक को अपनाने से स्वास्थ्य सेवाओं को ग्रामीण और दूर दराज़ के क्षेत्रों में आसानी से पहुंचाया जा सकता है। नई तकनीक में विशेष रूप से मुख्यधारा से दूर रहने वाली आबादी के लिए चिकित्सा विशेषज्ञता की उपलब्धता सुनिश्चित करके समानता लाने की क्षमता है। निकट भविष्य में, एआई-संचालित मोबाइल हेल्थकेयर सिस्टम और टेली-मेडिसिन तंत्र के साथ, हम यह सुनिश्चित कर सकते हैं कि दूरदराज के इलाकों में रहने वाले लोगों को भी गुणवत्तापूर्ण प्राथमिक स्वास्थ्य देखभाल प्राप्त हो, जो अंततः समग्र स्वास्थ्य परिणामों में सुधार के सरकारी मिशन का पूरक होगा।”
शांतनु मिश्रा का कहना है कि तकनीक स्वास्थ्य सेवाओं की उपलब्धता की भौगोलिक सीमाओं को खत्म कर सकती है और वंचित आबादी द्वारा अनुभव की जाने वाली स्वास्थ्य देखभाल संबंधी असमानताओं को दूर कर सकती है। यह वाकई में एक गेम-चेंजर का काम कर रही है। स्माइल फाउंडेशन वर्तमान में 83 स्वास्थ्य देखभाल परियोजनाओं का संचालन कर रहा है जिसमें इसकी राष्ट्रीय स्वास्थ्य देखभाल पहल स्माइल ऑन व्हील्स के तहत मोबाइल मेडिकल यूनिट, मोबाइल टेलीमेडिसिन यूनिट, मोबाइल डेंटल यूनिट, स्टेटिक क्लीनिक और मोबाइल फिजियो यूनिट शामिल हैं। इसमें 15 भारतीय राज्यों के 17 महत्वाकांक्षी जिलों सहित 63 जिलों के 920 गांवों और शहरी मलिन बस्तियों को शामिल किया गया है। वित्त वर्ष 2022-23 के दौरान, स्माइल ऑन व्हील्स के तहत दस लाख से अधिक लाभार्थियों को उनके दरवाजे पर प्राथमिक और निवारक स्वास्थ्य सेवाएं प्राप्त हुईं।
वैश्विक स्वास्थ्य सेवा बाजार में AI के 2023 में 14.6 बिलियन अमेरिकी डॉलर से बढ़कर 2028 तक 102.7 बिलियन अमेरिकी डॉलर होने का अनुमान है। NASSCOM (नेशनल एसोसिएशन ऑफ सॉफ्टवेयर एंड सर्विस कंपनीज) के अनुसार, स्वास्थ्य सेवा में डेटा और AI में लगभग 25 बिलियन अमेरिकी डॉलर जोड़ने की क्षमता है। भारतीय एआई हेल्थकेयर मार्केट 2019-2025 रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, पूर्वानुमान अवधि के दौरान भारतीय हेल्थकेयर उद्योग में कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता 50.9 प्रतिशत की सीएजीआर से बढ़ने का अनुमान है। एआई तकनीक और डेटा प्रबंधन का उपयोग करके, मोबाइल हेल्थकेयर सिस्टम दूरदराज के स्थानों में भी रोगियों का कुशलतापूर्वक निदान और उपचार कर सकता है, इस प्रकार जीवन-घातक स्थितियों की समय रहते रोकथाम की जा सकती है। नई तकनीक में ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में स्वास्थ्य सेवा वितरण में क्रांति लाने और पहुंच के मामले में शहरी और दूरदराज के समुदायों के बीच अंतर को पाटने की शक्ति है।
रिपोर्ट की माने तो नीति आयोग मधुमेह की जटिलताओं का शीघ्र पता लगाने के लिए प्राथमिक स्वास्थ्य देखभाल में एआई के अनुप्रयोग की व्यवहारिकता की जांच पर ज़ोर दे रहा है, और वर्तमान में रेटिना विशेषज्ञों की नैदानिक सटीकता के साथ इसकी निदान सटीकता की तुलना करके, आंखों की देखभाल में एक स्क्रीनिंग टूल के रूप में एआई के उपयोग को मान्यता दे रहा है।
Last year, Sarika, an IT professional based in Noida who did not want to reveal her real name, spent Diwali with children at Saikripa, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works for homeless and abandoned children. The family, consisting of her husband and son, decided to not spend anything on crackers, expensive lighting and new clothes, and re-channelled the money as a donation to the NGO.
She says, “We wanted to have a different experience on Diwali with underpriviledged children. It was a wonderful experience. My son was hesitant in the beginning, but was happy at the end of the day.”
Everyone may have different reasons and modes of donating, but for most donors, charity generates positive emotions. A research paper, The Emotional Rewards Of Prosocial Spending Are Robust and Replicable in Large Samples, published in the Harvard Business School’s publications in December 2022, confirms that. In the paper, Harvard Business School assistant professor Ashley Whillans, Canadian researchers Lara Aknin of Simon Fraser University, and Elizabeth Dunn of the University of British Columbia, said that spending money on other people can increase happiness among donors.
Like Sarika, many people prefer to donate during the festive season, though many do it throughout the year. Anant Arora, chief sustainability and communications officer, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, says: “Many people choose to donate at monthly intervals, ensuring consistent support. However, some donors prefer to contribute during festivals, aligning giving with the spirit of celebration and sharing.”
The decision to do charity, however, is only the first step. The next and more crucial step is to select an NGO or a cause close to your heart. For Sarika, choosing the NGO was easy, because she found it in her neighbourhood and felt for the cause.
How To Select An NGO?
There are approximately 3 million NGOs in India working for different causes, according to various estimates. NGO-DARPAN, the government portal launched in 2015, where NGOs can self-declare their information, has 173,757 registered NGOs and voluntary organisations (VOs), as on September 13, 2023.
Choose The Cause: Anupam Roongta, 40, a research analyst based in Jaipur, feels for the cause of education and has been a regular donor for almost 10 years. Roongta, who picked up the habit of charity from his father, donates to several charities, including the Akshay Patra Foundation, which provides food to schoolchildren under the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (formerly the Mid-Day Meal Scheme) in partnership with the government.
Charity organisations work in varied fields, from humanitarian to environmental causes. Therefore, it makes sense to choose the cause you feel connected to.
NGO-DARPAN shows that Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of NGOs registered with it, followed by Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The highest number of NGOs are working in the field of education and literacy, at 100,464. The health and family welfare sector is being catered to by 68,122 NGOs, followed by those focusing on children at 63,879.
Filter out the ones working in the area you feel passionate about, be it about uplifting underprivileged children, women empowerment, education, or global warming.
As it is a voluntary act, instinct plays a role in choosing the cause.
As for Sarika, the choice of Saikripa was an instinctive one. “While I was exploring NGOs to donate, I found Saikripa, called them and felt that it would be the right choice,” she says.
Check The Genuineness: Once you have zeroed in on the organisation, make sure you check how genuine and authentic it is. Do a basic search on the internet and check its website. If possible, visit the NGO to find out more details about its work. If you know someone who already donates to the NGO, you can check with them about the impact it creates on the ground. You may also want to compare it with a few other NGOs working in similar areas.
Moreover, if you want to donate to derive satisfaction, you may want to know whether your money is reaching the right people. Ensure that the NGO answers your queries to your satisfaction on how the funds are being utilised and the impact it is creating.
Anupam Roongta 40, Jaipur
The research analyst has been donating for the last 10 years, having picked up the habit from his father. He offers subscription-based stock recommendation service, and the online fee paid by his clients is redirected to the NGO
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For instance, according to Roongta, Akshay Patra Foundation shares the utilisation certificate to each donor, disclosing the amount they donated, how it was utilised, in which particular district, which kitchen and how many students were impacted.
Arora says: “Each meal costs us Rs 15.57. Of this, Rs 8.56 is provided by the government in the form of subsidies and grains, while Rs 6.56 is raised through donations from corporate and individual donors from within the country and abroad. As for state-wise funding, it varies from state to state, depending on the number of schools and students covered under the programme in each state.”
In 2022-23, the foundation received approximately 53 per cent of its donations from corporates, 19 per cent from individual donors and about 27 per cent from trusts and other foundations.
Likewise, Smile Foundation receives around 10 per cent of its donations from individual donors. “Value-wise, individual donors contribute 10-11 per cent of our annual funds received on average. The remaining funds come from corporate and institutional supporters,” says Shived Saxena, head, Individual Giving, Smile Foundation.
Consider Tax Benefit: Besides the emotional benefits, charity also offers tangible benefits—you may get a 100 per cent tax deduction on the donation amount under Section 80G of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
This deduction is, however, available only on donations made to specific NGOs. The list is notified by the income tax department. For example, many private trusts do not have 80G registration and donations to such NGOs won’t qualify for tax benefits.
Says Gopal Bohra, partner, direct taxation, N. A. Shah Associates: “Section 80G (1) and (2) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 deals with the deduction on donation made by a taxpayer to any charitable organisation. There are around 10-20 items that are specified for a 100 per cent benefit; donations for the rest offer a 50 per cent benefit on the donation amount. These are subject to 10 per cent of the total income.”
For instance, donations to Smile Foundation, which has been working for the underprivileged since 2002, get tax benefit up to 50 per cent of the donated amount.
However, if you are making your decision to donate on the basis of this criteria, do remember that the deduction under Section 80G is not available under the new income tax regime.
Says Saxena: “We have observed that individual giving picks up after September each year and goes on till March, which marks the period for filing of income tax returns. April to August marks the relatively lean season in terms of individual giving in India. The month of October heralds a long festive season, and it applies across India.”
How To Donate
Money is only one of the ways in which you can do charity. Some other ways include volunteering, spending time with the beneficiaries and others.
Roongta is not able to spend time with the beneficiaries he donates to, but he has found an innovative way to continue donating. He offers subscription-based stock recommendation service, and the fees his clients pay online on his website go directly to the NGO.
When it comes to money, it is advisable to avoid donating in cash. That’s because Section 80G benefits are not available for any donation in cash exceeding Rs 2,000 in a year.
Amid the evolving fintech space, these charitable organisations and NGOs also receive donations through different modes, such as cash, cheque, unified payments interface (UPI), among others.
Says Arora: “Akshaya Patra Foundation accepts donations through monthly electronic clearing system (ECS), UPI, credit card, digital wallet, QR code on its website, bank and wire transfer, and cheques.”
In the end, it is up to you to think of charity as a one-time donation or a way of life but, more importantly, choose the one you feel for. As for Sarika, she plans to go back to the same NGO this year, but this time she has also invited her extended family to partake in the festivities with the underprivileged children so that they too can experience the joy of giving.
April 3, 2023: The healthcare industry has taken a monumental leap forward, thanks to the integration of cutting-edge technologies into its operations. And what better way to celebrate this game-changing transformation than through the Elets Global Healthcare Summit and Awards, presented by Elets Technomedia and eHealth Magazine! Held on the 20th of March 2023 at the Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel in Dubai, this event recognised the outstanding achievements of the world’s leading healthcare organisations.
This awe-inspiring summit, themed ‘Opportunities in Healthcare and Technology,’ brought together the brightest minds in the healthcare sector to showcase the limitless potential of technology in transforming the industry. With thought-provoking discussions and insightful presentations from trailblazing innovators, this event was a platform for the game-changers, the rule-breakers, and the pioneers who are shaping the future of healthcare. And let’s not forget about the prestigious Elets Global Healthcare Awards, recognising the visionaries who are paving the way for a brighter and healthier future. It celebrated the efforts of healthcare organisations and technology providers who made significant contributions to the healthcare ecosystem.
Get ready to witness a healthcare revolution like never before!
Award Categories and Winners:
Healthcare Organisations:
Leading Public Health Initiative (NGO) – Smile Foundation Excellent Work during Covid – Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (Dr. Deodatt Madhav Suryawanshi) Digital Technology for Doctor & Patient Support – HealthPlix Technologies Excellence in Stroke Care – Jogo Health Pvt. Ltd. Excellence in Digital Healthcare Technology Solution & Leading Medical Brand – Lupin Ltd Healthcare Delivery Brand (Hospitals) – Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute Digital Technology Solution for Hospitals, Excellent Work during Covid & Excellence in Patient Safety & Centricity – Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited Leading Public Health Initiative – Apollo MedSkills Ltd. Emerging Healthcare Delivery Brand – OPENMINDS Psychiatry, Counselling and Neuroscience Center Digital Technology for Patient Support – Prime Healthcare Group Excellence in Heart Care, Excellence in Bone & Spine Care & Patient Centric Brand in Women’s Health – Jehangir Hospital Excellence in Healthcare access and affordability – Zenplus Gulf Medical Response & Ambulance Service Outstanding Pathology Services & Excellence in High-end diagnostics – SRL Limited Outstanding Pathology Services – Lifenity International Outstanding Home Diagnostics Services – U4RAD Technologies / XRAi Digital Excellence in Healthcare Innovation – Zulekha Hospitals LLC Leading Global Healthcare Startup – MediPocket Outstanding Learning and Development Professional in Healthcare & Pharmaceutical industry – Dr. Ameya Ghanekar Consultancy Excellence in Healthcare access and affordability – Access Clinics – Aster DM Healthcare Excellence in Multi-Specialty Hospital in India, Excellence in Robotic Surgery, Excellence in Multi-Organ Transplant & Excellence in Quality & Patient Satisfaction – Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital Excellence in Research and Development – WALTER BUSHNELL DRUGS PVT LTD Healthcare Delivery Brand (Hospitals) & Excellence in Healthcare Innovation – KIMSHEALTH Leading Public Health Initiative (Government) – ICMR, Headquarters, New Delhi. (Dr. Neha Kidiley) Excellence in Cancer Care – Gulf International Cancer Center
Healthcare Leaders:
Leading Diagnostic Leader – Vijay Dhawangale, Founder & Chairman of Lifenity International Finance Leader in Healthcare – Vineet Bhandawat – Chief Financial Officer Leader in Patient Centricity – Dr. Rohit Kumar, Medical Director & Specialist General Surgery of International Modern Hospital
Corporates:
Outstanding Digital Health Investor – Govin Capital Leading Health-tech Brand – Agatsa Excellence in Pharma Innovation- Digital Marketing Solution – Doceree Excellence in Digital Healthcare – Cloud Host Excellence in Digital Print Solutions for Radiology – Accurate Excellence in Patient Experience – Gotriage.com
We take great pleasure in praising the healthcare organisations for their incredible job. We congratulate each and everyone who received recognition at the Elets Global Healthcare Summit & Awards for their unique and excellent accomplishments.
August 2, 2023; New Delhi: A single tele-medicine unit that began in May 2021 in Doha village of Haryana’s Nuh (Mewat) district grew into a project comprising of 10 units at Health and Wellness Centres in this only aspirational district of Haryana. Smile Foundation, in partnership with the Government of Haryana (District Health Administration) and supported by SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited, implemented the project in four blocks of Nuh, covering a population of one million.
The National Health Policy 2017 (NHP 2017) sets the goal of ensuring the highest possible level of health and well-being for all, through increasing access, improving quality and lowering the cost of healthcare delivery. The NHP 17 lays significant emphasis on leveraging digital technologies for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of the healthcare services. The policy recommends a paradigm shift from the existing silos systems to a holistic and comprehensive health eco-system, founded on the latest digital architectures and technologies.
Tele-medicine is an important domain under the newly constituted National Digital Health Mission, thereby creating an enabling digital health ecosystem in the country. The National Health Authorities (NHA) has announced integration of National Telemedicine Service -eSanjeevani with its flagship scheme – Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
Smile Foundation, with invaluable support from the donor, decided to complement the efforts of the District Health Administration in Nuh. Developing a resilient primary healthcare system, wherein e-Arogya clinics with Tele-Medicine Kiosks, Medicine Vending Machine (MVM), training a cadre of Community Health Officers (CHO) on the grounds, and promoting the public healthcare mandates of the government were part of the collaborative project objectives.
Ten e-Arogya Clinics comprising of Tele-Medicine kiosks with Medicine Vending Machines (MVM)) were established under eight Primary Health Centres (PHCs), covering a target beneficiary of 10 lakh population in all the four sub-divisions of the district of Nuh, namely Ferozepur Jhirka, Nuh, Punhana, and Tauru.
Consultations with general physicians and specialist doctors, free distribution of medicines, screening of NCD (non-communicable disease) and referral to secondary and tertiary healthcare services are being made available to people at these e-Arogya Clinics. In addition, capacity building of the front-line workers and CHOs (Community Health officers) are facilitated by organizing need-based training programmes in consultation with Nuh district health administration.
The tele-medicine project was initiated in the district after fulfilling the infrastructural gaps through refurbishment of ten health and wellness centres, installation of solar power system ensuring round-the-clock electricity supply and internet facility supporting the uninterrupted tele-consultations. The e-Arogya clinics generate electronic health record (EHR) of the patients and also it keeps the record of non-communicable disease (NCD) that was shared with the government.
Until now, these 10 e-Arogya clinics have benefited over 35,000 individuals directly, of which 52 per cent beneficiaries are women. Community women, who could not think of going outside the village, have got the opportunity to take care of their health and wellbeing. This has also created an enabling eco-system, encouraging the communities towards availing relevant health entitlements and affirmative action as mandated by the government.
“Smile Foundation and SBI Card were associated with us for these projects. The outcomes through these telemedicine centres, the 10 e-Arogya clinics, have helped patients to avail the services of specialist consultations without having to travel far. The OPDs increased with the e-Arogya clinics and was helpful for the NCD screening and data recording. Now the integration of these centres in e-Sanjeevani will lead to steady rise in tele-consultation ensuring availability, accessibility and affordability of healthcare services in the remotest areas. We welcome such joint collaborations improving the health indicators in an aspirational district like Nuh,” said Dr. Sarvjeet Thapar, Civil Surgeon, District Health Administration, Nuh.
“We are very happy with the outcome and the efforts. Now onward, we are integrating these initiatives within the government mechanism so that it is widely adopted by community people, benefits them continuously and it remains sustainable,” said Dr. Ravi Kant Sinha, Deputy Civil Surgeon (Family Welfare).
“We thank SBI Card for supporting this innovative project and we appreciate the District Health Administration, Nuh for showing confidence in Smile Foundation. I am glad that our collective effort has shown results in the area of ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being, as envisaged in the Sustainable Development Goals (SGD– 3),” said Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation.
For the sustainability of e-Arogya clinics, all the 10 tele-medicine units under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness centres are now integrated with e-Sanjeevani, the flagship National Telemedicine Service of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. These are being handed over to the district health department, Nuh. A two-day special training session has also been organized for all the Community Health Officers (CHOs) to ensure effective management of the machines and devices too.
August 1st, 2023; New Delhi: A single tele-medicine unit that began in May 2021 in Doha village of Haryana’s Nuh (Mewat) district grew into a project comprising of 10 units at Health and Wellness Centres in this only aspirational district of Haryana. Smile Foundation, in partnership with the Government of Haryana (District Health Administration) and supported by SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited, implemented the project in four blocks of Nuh, covering a population of one million.
The National Health Policy 2017 (NHP 2017) sets the goal of ensuring the highest possible level of health and well-being for all, through increasing access, improving quality and lowering the cost of healthcare delivery. The NHP 17 lays significant emphasis on leveraging digital technologies for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of the healthcare services. The policy recommends a paradigm shift from the existing silos systems to a holistic and comprehensive health eco-system, founded on the latest digital architectures and technologies.
Tele-medicine is an important domain under the newly constituted National Digital Health Mission, thereby creating an enabling digital health ecosystem in the country. The National Health Authorities (NHA) has announced integration of National Telemedicine Service -eSanjeevani with its flagship scheme – Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
Smile Foundation, with invaluable support from the donor, decided to complement the efforts of the District Health Administration in Nuh. Developing a resilient primary healthcare system, wherein e-Arogya clinics with Tele-Medicine Kiosks, Medicine Vending Machine (MVM), training a cadre of Community Health Officers (CHO) on the grounds, and promoting the public healthcare mandates of the government were part of the collaborative project objectives.
Ten e-Arogya Clinics comprising of Tele-Medicine kiosks with Medicine Vending Machines (MVM)) were established under eight Primary Health Centres (PHCs), covering a target beneficiary of 10 lakh population in all the four sub-divisions of the district of Nuh, namely Ferozepur Jhirka, Nuh, Punhana, and Tauru.
Consultations with general physicians and specialist doctors, free distribution of medicines, screening of NCD (non-communicable disease) and referral to secondary and tertiary healthcare services are being made available to people at these e-Arogya Clinics. In addition, capacity building of the front-line workers and CHOs (Community Health officers) are facilitated by organizing need-based training programmes in consultation with Nuh district health administration.
Tele-medicine Projects
The tele-medicine project was initiated in the district after fulfilling the infrastructural gaps through refurbishment of ten health and wellness centres, installation of solar power system ensuring round-the-clock electricity supply and internet facility supporting the uninterrupted tele-consultations. The e-Arogya clinics generate electronic health record (EHR) of the patients and also it keeps the record of non-communicable disease (NCD) that was shared with the government.
Until now, these 10 e-Arogya clinics have benefited over 35,000 individuals directly, of which 52 per cent beneficiaries are women. Community women, who could not think of going outside the village, have got the opportunity to take care of their health and wellbeing. This has also created an enabling eco-system, encouraging the communities towards availing relevant health entitlements and affirmative action as mandated by the government.
“Smile Foundation and SBI Card were associated with us for these projects. The outcomes through these telemedicine centres, the 10 e-Arogya clinics, have helped patients to avail the services of specialist consultations without having to travel far. The OPDs increased with the e-Arogya clinics and was helpful for the NCD screening and data recording. Now the integration of these centres in e-Sanjeevani will lead to steady rise in tele-consultation ensuring availability, accessibility and affordability of healthcare services in the remotest areas. We welcome such joint collaborations improving the health indicators in an aspirational district like Nuh,” said Dr. Sarvjeet Thapar, Civil Surgeon, District Health Administration, Nuh.
“We are very happy with the outcome and the efforts. Now onward, we are integrating these initiatives within the government mechanism so that it is widely adopted by community people, benefits them continuously and it remains sustainable,” said Dr. Ravi Kant Sinha, Deputy Civil Surgeon (Family Welfare).
“We thank SBI Card for supporting this innovative project and we appreciate the District Health Administration, Nuh for showing confidence in Smile Foundation. I am glad that our collective effort has shown results in the area of ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being, as envisaged in the Sustainable Development Goals (SGD– 3),” said Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation.
For the sustainability of e-Arogya clinics, all the 10 tele-medicine units under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness centres are now integrated with e-Sanjeevani, the flagship National Telemedicine Service of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. These are being handed over to the district health department, Nuh. A two-day special training session has also been organized for all the Community Health Officers (CHOs) to ensure effective management of the machines and devices too.
NEW DELHI, DELHI, INDIA, July 13, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — Smile Foundation, an Indian development organization, is known for its life-cycle approach of development centered around children and their families. The organization has been piloting projects focused on integrating relevant technological applications in the areas of child education, especially in remote rural areas and underserved urban communities.
The recent pandemic might have brought devastation and uncertainty across the globe. However, it did fast-track some disruptions and prepone significant opportunities which might have taken longer time to be adapted. India seems to have gained the most from the disruptions, most prominently in the area of education.
In the meanwhile, estimates have put India as the world’s most populous country. This has also brought up the necessity to harness the demographic dividend. It begins with children, and their education.
India seems to have found a homegrown, new formula. Digitization and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 have every potential to further the reach and efficacy of child education in India. With 1.5 million schools and 250 million children, India’s education system is one of the largest in the world too.
The government in India swiftly and diligently responded to the COVID-19 induced lockdown and used digital wherewithal to ensure continued schooling for children. The Indian government also launched a plethora of apps, channels, portals and other tools to facilitate online learning.
Smile Foundation, like a few other civil society organizations, also explored and researched the available options in government and private sectors, with an objective to complement the governmental efforts. Undoubtedly, digitization in education continued to find prominence in the endeavour to create access as well as efficacy for quality education in a revolutionary way.
Digitization of education in India is going to be in the scheme of things in the realm of the future of learning. In the meantime, the Government of India has defined different channels and taken several initiatives to disseminate educational and pedagogic means and sources across the country.
Even the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes digitization as well as the use of technology in education. Another focus is on education technology for further training, especially in rural areas. This initiative is primarily meant to provide quality education, especially within tier-2 and tier-3 towns, and villages. What looked like a distant dream in the recent past seems to be a reality soon.
Even though digital mode of education in India is booming, there are a few major challenges that might come on the way of its growth. Places with low internet connectivity may find it difficult to access the facilities. Training the teachers swiftly in such a large country may need more resources and collaboration. Only those teachers and administrators who are technically sound can conduct digital classes and also make it effective for the students. Uniformly and quickly, all schools require to have proper facilities for digital classrooms too.
However, on the brighter side, there is a way forward for the future of digital education in India. Developing e-content in local languages would help teaching and learning more effective, going by the diversity of the linguistic map. Virtual labs and skill development courses may also be added to schools. Priority will gradually be given to getting access to digital education anytime, anywhere. In order to get the best e-learning resources; however, teachers have to upskill themselves accordingly.
“Application of AI (artificial intelligence) in the areas of personalization of education and experiential learning in the near future will bring exciting outcome,” opines Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation. He adds, “Government-corporate-civil society collaboration in the area of education is going to be more synchronized and need-based in the coming days as child education will continue to remain a common cause and one of the national priorities.”
“Education technology and digitization of education has given us an opportunity to reimagine the teaching-learning process within Mission Education initiative of Smile Foundation.” says Seema Kumar, Education Specialist at Smile Foundation. “Education technology and digitization of education have the potential to transform the way we approach education by enabling personalized learning, expanding access to education, and promoting collaboration and creativity. These will play a crucial role in the future of education, and it will likely continue to evolve and shape the way we teach and learn in the years to come.”
Smile Foundation has been working in 26 states of India, benefitting more than 1.5 million children and their families every year through various welfare projects focusing on children, their families and the communities.
NEW DELHI, DELHI, INDIA, July 13, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — Smile Foundation, an Indian development organization, is known for its life-cycle approach of development centered around children and their families. The organization has been piloting projects focused on integrating relevant technological applications in the areas of child education, especially in remote rural areas and underserved urban communities.
The recent pandemic might have brought devastation and uncertainty across the globe. However, it did fast-track some disruptions and prepone significant opportunities which might have taken longer time to be adapted. India seems to have gained the most from the disruptions, most prominently in the area of education.
In the meanwhile, estimates have put India as the world’s most populous country. This has also brought up the necessity to harness the demographic dividend. It begins with children, and their education.
India seems to have found a homegrown, new formula. Digitization and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 have every potential to further the reach and efficacy of child education in India. With 1.5 million schools and 250 million children, India’s education system is one of the largest in the world too.
The government in India swiftly and diligently responded to the COVID-19 induced lockdown and used digital wherewithal to ensure continued schooling for children. The Indian government also launched a plethora of apps, channels, portals and other tools to facilitate online learning.
Smile Foundation, like a few other civil society organizations, also explored and researched the available options in government and private sectors, with an objective to complement the governmental efforts. Undoubtedly, digitization in education continued to find prominence in the endeavour to create access as well as efficacy for quality education in a revolutionary way.
Digitization of education in India is going to be in the scheme of things in the realm of the future of learning. In the meantime, the Government of India has defined different channels and taken several initiatives to disseminate educational and pedagogic means and sources across the country.
Even the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes digitization as well as the use of technology in education. Another focus is on education technology for further training, especially in rural areas. This initiative is primarily meant to provide quality education, especially within tier-2 and tier-3 towns, and villages. What looked like a distant dream in the recent past seems to be a reality soon.
Even though digital mode of education in India is booming, there are a few major challenges that might come on the way of its growth. Places with low internet connectivity may find it difficult to access the facilities. Training the teachers swiftly in such a large country may need more resources and collaboration. Only those teachers and administrators who are technically sound can conduct digital classes and also make it effective for the students. Uniformly and quickly, all schools require to have proper facilities for digital classrooms too.
However, on the brighter side, there is a way forward for the future of digital education in India. Developing e-content in local languages would help teaching and learning more effective, going by the diversity of the linguistic map. Virtual labs and skill development courses may also be added to schools. Priority will gradually be given to getting access to digital education anytime, anywhere. In order to get the best e-learning resources; however, teachers have to upskill themselves accordingly.
“Application of AI (artificial intelligence) in the areas of personalization of education and experiential learning in the near future will bring exciting outcome,” opines Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation. He adds, “Government-corporate-civil society collaboration in the area of education is going to be more synchronized and need-based in the coming days as child education will continue to remain a common cause and one of the national priorities.”
“Education technology and digitization of education has given us an opportunity to reimagine the teaching-learning process within Mission Education initiative of Smile Foundation.” says Seema Kumar, Education Specialist at Smile Foundation. “Education technology and digitization of education have the potential to transform the way we approach education by enabling personalized learning, expanding access to education, and promoting collaboration and creativity. These will play a crucial role in the future of education, and it will likely continue to evolve and shape the way we teach and learn in the years to come.”
Smile Foundation has been working in 26 states of India, benefitting more than 1.5 million children and their families every year through various welfare projects focusing on children, their families and the communities.
A free of cost doorstep healthcare service for underprivileged people across 30 villages in and aroundVadodara, Gujarat
Vadodara, July , 2023:Under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Kotak Mahindra Prime Ltd. (KMPL) has associated with Smile Foundation, an Indian development organisation,to launch ‘Smile on Wheels’ initiative, in Vadodara, Gujarat. ‘Smile on Wheels’will provide free doorstep healthcare through twomobile medical units that will deliver curative and preventive treatment to underserved people spread across 30 villages in the Vadodara district of Gujarat. The collaborative efforts of Kotak Prime and Smile Foundation resonates and complements theGovernment’s vision ofqualityhealthcare for all.
‘Smile on Wheels’ initiative will enhance accessibly of the underserved to primary healthcare services and encourage healthcare seeking behaviour in rural clusters of the Vadodara district. The two Mobile Medical Units (MMU) are well-equipped to benefit underprivileged people including, pregnant and lactating mothers, and children among others who are unable to visit a healthcare facility owing to their health condition or mobility issues. Before the formal launch of this initiative, a month-long pilot of the project was run in Vadodara, which was conducted with 38 outpatient department (OPDs)benefiting over 2,000 individuals, comprising women and children.
Vyomesh Kapasi, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Prime Ltd. said, “To address the healthcare needs of the underserved community, Kotak Prime has provided CSR funding to Smile Foundation to roll out two mobile medical units in Vadodara. The two mobile healthcare units will provide primaryhealthcare support to the underserved and improve quality of life through last-mile connectivity. The Smile on Wheels initiative gives door-step healthcare access and is our contribution to strengthenthe National Health Mission, commissioned by the Government of India.”
Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder & Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said,“We thank Kotak Mahindra Prime Ltd. to support us and complement governmental mission that envisages achieving universal access to equitable, affordable and quality healthcare services in line with people’s need. We are glad to participate in the public-private developmental endeavours in ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being as envisioned under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is crucial in the nation’s progress,”
Kotak Karma is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) identity of Kotak Mahindra Group.
Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren inaugurated a slew of health projects in the state on Wednesday evening.
At a function in Ranchi, Hemant launched 206 new ambulances, oversaw the signing of MoU between the health department and Smile Foundation for the launch of five new mobile medical units (MMU) in partnership with MSD Pharmaceuticals, inaugurated regional blood transmission centre and blood storage centres along with release of apps for booking of Mamata Vahans and Swasthya Jyoti app to avail treatment under the chief minister critical illness treatment scheme.
Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren inaugurated a slew of health projects in the state on Wednesday evening.
At a function in Ranchi, Hemant launched 206 new ambulances, oversaw the signing of MoU between the health department and Smile Foundation for the launch of five new mobile medical units (MMU) in partnership with MSD Pharmaceuticals, inaugurated regional blood transmission centre and blood storage centres along with release of apps for booking of Mamata Vahans and Swasthya Jyoti app to avail treatment under the chief minister critical illness treatment scheme.
The government is using 337 such ambulances and with the launch of these new ambulances, the total strength would increase to 543.
Hemant also flagged off MMUs to be operated in five districts of West Singhbhum, Sahebganj, Chatra, Dumka and Garhwa. The programme, ‘Smile on Wheels,’ aims to benefit more than 2 lakh people. The initiative will reach nearly 60 villages across these districts.
“The programme’s primary objective is to strengthen and supplement the government’s healthcare system and enhance accessibility, availability and affordability of quality primary healthcare services in rural areas. Each mobile medical unit will be equipped with qualified doctors, para-medical staff, point-of-care and diagnostic services, and medicines,” said a spokesperson of the foundation.
The Smile on Wheels programme deploys well-equipped mobile medical units with specialised doctors, nurses, medical staff, and medicines to villages and underserved communities.
For instance, donations to Smile Foundation, which has been working for the underprivileged since 2002, get tax benefit up to 50 per cent of the donated amount.
