Corporate social responsibility, CSR in short, is a powerful approach for companies to change the world. India became the first country to legislate the need to undertake CSR activities, thus taking a significant step towards enhancing rural healthcare infrastructure through the involvement of corporate organizations.

In a constantly transforming world, maintaining healthcare to the mark is vital to ensuring the health and happiness of citizens. CSR initiatives address the challenges in the current public health system such as poor quality healthcare centers and the availability of healthcare in remote areas. Major corporate entities in India are proactively extending their support to improve infrastructure facilities and provide the necessary support.

CSR initiatives play a dominant role in building the rural health infrastructure in India in various ways as discussed below:

Scaling Healthcare Infrastructure

By partnering with hospitals and NGOs, CSR funds can boost the capacity of acute care hospital beds and establish temporary COVID care centers to meet the demand of the rural health infrastructure. It helps to stay prepared for health emergencies in rural areas. CSR strategies can also include the scope for contingency staffing models for rural healthcare centers to provide quality care which enables the scaling of services during contingencies.

Upgradation of Primary Health Care Centres

Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) are the backbone of rural health infrastructure, offering comprehensive curative and preventive healthcare services. Although the current infrastructure may have shortcomings, its potential for improvement in providing high-quality healthcare through CSR is immense.

Through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, businesses have an excellent opportunity to have a positive impact by assisting in the modernization of PHCs with cutting-edge tools and technology and training the staff in their usage.

Ancillary Support for Frontline Workers

The role of frontline workers has garnered immense recognition during the pandemic. It reminds us of the necessity to prioritize ancillary support like childcare and mental health services. CSR funding can support frontline workers by refurbishing Anganwadi centers in rural areas and providing necessary counseling support.

Manage Supply and Demand

The way India handled the pandemic proved that by collaboration supply and demand can be met even in times of distress. People and corporations came forward to help each other overcome the shortcomings in the healthcare sector. CSR initiatives can focus on building the necessary infrastructure like oxygen concentrators, ventilator manufacturing units, and oxygen generation plants to strengthen rural health infrastructure.

Final Words

Corporate Social Responsibility is a way to strengthen the rural healthcare infrastructure in India. It is a channel that balances the technology growth in urban India with meeting the healthcare necessities of rural India.

Sri Mathrutva is committed to improving the health and care of underprivileged section of the society. Please support our cause through your generous donations.