Mar 27: HDFC Bank has announced a strategic partnership with Smile Foundation to deploy eight Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) across underserved regions in North India. The initiative aims to provide integrated primary healthcare services to over 4 lakh individuals across Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand.
The programme, launched under the bank’s flagship CSR initiative Parivartan, will be implemented from April 2026 through March 2028, focusing on bridging critical healthcare gaps in remote and hard-to-reach geographies.
The Mobile Medical Units will offer a comprehensive suite of services, including outpatient consultations, basic diagnostic tests, free medicines, and referral support to nearby public healthcare facilities. The initiative will also place strong emphasis on maternal and child health, screening for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and anaemia, along with school-based health programmes covering hygiene, nutrition, and menstrual awareness.
Commenting on the initiative, Nusrat Pathan, Head – CSR at HDFC Bank, said, “This programme reflects our commitment to improving healthcare accessibility in underserved communities and addressing critical gaps in last-mile service delivery.”
Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation, added, “This collaboration strengthens our shared vision of ensuring equitable healthcare access and complements ongoing public health efforts in the region.”
Smile Foundation will be responsible for the on-ground implementation, including deployment of qualified medical personnel and adherence to protocols set by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The programme will also integrate beneficiaries with schemes under the National Health Mission to ensure continuity of care.
Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and national initiatives such as the Anemia Mukt Bharat mission, the programme represents a significant step toward strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure and improving health outcomes in India’s underserved regions.
