Prayagraj, July 5, 2025: MSD Pharmaceuticals India in partnership with Smile Foundation has launched MSD India supported Smile on Wheels mobile clinic project in Prayagraj district. The initiative aims to bring primary healthcare services to the doorsteps of the communities in Bhagwatpur block of the district. The mobile medical unit was flagged off by the Honourable MLA Prayagraj West, Shri Sidharth Nath Singh.

Shri Sidharth Nath Singh, Hon’ble MLA for Prayagraj West, said, “I would like to thank MSD Pharmaceuticals and Smile Foundation for bringing this innovative healthcare programme to this region. I am sure that community women in particular will benefit immensely from this well-equipped mobile medical unit as services will be delivered at their doorsteps.”

Dr. A. K. Tiwari, Chief Medical Officer, Prayagraj said, “With our supervision and cooperation, I am confident that general public will receive great primary healthcare benefit from this unique project.”

The mobile medical unit is equipped with a qualified MBBS doctor, paramedical staff, basic diagnostic facilities, and point-of-care services, and it offers free outpatient consultations (OPD) and medicines. The project will also raise awareness about preventive healthcare and about government health schemes. Availability and accessibility of primary healthcare services within the communities are also expected to improve through this project.

Along with delivering primary care across the communities, the project will also run awareness programmes on key health issues, including maternal health, immunization, non-communicable diseases, antenatal and postnatal care within the community. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities will also be conducted to increase awareness of preventive healthcare practices. Furthermore, the project will facilitate referrals to higher-level medical services when necessary. Through community counselling on preventive health, welfare schemes, and available resources, this initiative will help reduce out-of-pocket expenses and encourages health-seeking behaviour.

MSD and Smile Foundation are already operating five Smile on Wheels projects in Uttar Pradesh in the districts of Sonbhadra, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Bahraich.

Rehan A. Khan, Managing Director of MSD India Region, said, “Improving access to healthcare is deeply embedded in MSD’s purpose. We are proud to expand our CSR programme in Prayagraj district’s Bhagwatpur block with an aim of delivering essential healthcare services closer to people in underserved communities. To ensure long-term impact, our initiatives include awareness sessions, home visits, community mobilization, and behaviour change programmes to foster a sustainable and healthier future for these communities.”

Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation, conveyed his enthusiasm and stated, “Healthcare remains a factor in the wellbeing and prosperity of the community, and this has been a crucial part of our mission. Mobile medical units have proven to be an effective model in bringing healthcare services to the doorsteps of people. Through this partnership with MSD, we are further enhancing our efforts to take primary healthcare to the communities, and thereby complementing the government’s mission.”

This initiative underscores the shared commitment of MSD Pharmaceuticals and Smile Foundation to advancing equitable healthcare and improving health outcomes for underserved communities.

About MSD                                                                                                                                                   

For 130 years, MSD, known as Merck in the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. Today, MSD continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals – including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases – as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world.

About Smile Foundation

Smile Foundation is an Indian development organization directly benefiting over 1.5 million children and families every year through more than 400 welfare projects on education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment spread across 2,000 villages and urban clusters in 27 states.