Deputy CM and Health Minister Shri Brajesh Pathak flagged-off the four mobile medical units

The MSD-supported Smile on Wheels will be aspirational in Lucknow, Sonbhadra, Prayagraj and Varanasi districts.

The initiative comprises of four mobile medical units that will serve over 2 Lakh people across more than 40 villages

Lucknow, June 25, 2025: MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd (MSD) in partnership with Smile Foundation, today announced the launch of the MSD-supported Smile on Wheels mobile medical units, a step towards enhancing primary healthcare access in Uttar Pradesh. The four mobile medical units were dedicated by the Honourable Deputy Chief Minister & Cabinet Minister of Medical Education, Medical and Health, and Family Welfare, Shri Brajesh Pathak in Lucknow. The initiative aims to bring primary healthcare services directly within underserved communities in Lucknow, Sonbhadra, Prayagraj and Varanasi districts. In addition to the above expanded locations, MSD-supported Smile on Wheels projects are already operational in the districts of Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Bahraich.

Shri Brajesh Mishra, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Cabinet Minister of Medical Education, Medical and Health, and Family Welfare said, “I am pleased to dedicate four mobile medical units for the needy areas of Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Sonbhadra districts. These units will provide free healthcare services along with various diagnostic tests and other facilities. I wish to congratulate Smile Foundation and MSD for this initiative.”

The programme, comprising four mobile medical units, is expected to reach over 2 Lakh beneficiaries over three years. Each unit is equipped with qualified doctors, paramedical staff, diagnostic facilities, and point-of-care services, offering free outpatient consultations (OPD) and medicines. It will also aim to generate awareness about preventive healthcare and raise awareness about government health schemes. This initiative aims to address the availability, accessibility and affordability of primary healthcare services.

The mobile medical units will deliver primary care and 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 programme will facilitate referrals to higher-level medical services when necessary. Through community counselling on preventive health, welfare schemes, and available resources, the program helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses and encourages health-seeking behaviour.

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 Uttar Pradesh with the 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, “At Smile Foundation, our mission has always been to bring development directly to underserved communities, and healthcare remains a crucial part of that vision. Over the years, we have worked nationwide to ensure the most deserving populations receive timely and quality healthcare. Mobile medical units have proven to be an effective model in reducing access barriers. Through this partnership with MSD, we are further enhancing our efforts to provide healthcare where it is needed most—ensuring continuity of care, early intervention, and healthier communities, and thereby complementing the government’s mission.”

This initiative underscores MSD Pharmaceuticals’ and Smile Foundation’s shared commitment 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.