Glenmark Foundation launches its flagship programme – ‘KAVACH’ in Madhya Pradesh

Glenmark Foundation launches its flagship programme – ‘KAVACH’ in Madhya Pradesh

·        To address the issue of Malnutrition, Infant Mortality Rate and Child Mortality Rate

                           

·        Glenmark will adopt 100 villages in the district of Khandwa, MP

Khandwa, MP, India, June 7th, 2011 – Glenmark Foundation, the CSR arm of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals along with its project partners Spandan Samaj Sewa Samiti, launched its Flagship Programme: Project Kavach: ‘Healthy children, Healthier world’ in the state of Madhya Pradesh today.

Through this flagship programme, Glenmark will address the issues of Infant Mortality and Child Mortality through various interventions. As a beginning to this project, Glenmark will adopt 100 villages in the Khalwa block in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. Derived from the local Korku tribal language, the project has been named ‘Konku –Puchiku’ meaning ‘Little Children’.

The project was inaugurated by Mr Sharad Pandit Joint. Director (Health) and Mr Rajesh Desai, Chief Financial Officer (Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.). The other key dignitaries present on the occasion were: Mr. Rajesh Desai (Chief Financial Officer, Glenmark  Pharmaceuticals Ltd.), Mr Alok Singh (CEO Zilla Panchayat). Ms Lakshmi Baghel (Chief Medical Officer), Mr Shrivastav (Chief Conservator of Forests), Mr Rajesh Gupta (District Programme Officer) and Mr Devendra Parisar (Additional SP). 

The objective of project is to address the issue of malnutrition among children through behavior change of community mothers and care givers along with a focus on generating awareness around improving the Immunization and Hygiene practices. Through this, the project would also aim at reducing Infant Mortality Rate(IMR) among the children as they face widespread malnutrition and diseases take a toll on their lives.

Mr Rajesh Desai, Chief Financial Officer said ‘ With the launch of this project, I hope and believe that with the support of the resident local population, Women  and Child Development  Department and the Health Department, in the time to come, this project will successfully lead to a transformation and set a benchmark.’

The inauguration function was marked by a welcome song by singers of the Korku tribe. Mr Rajesh Gupta talked about the challenges in Khandwa to tackle malnutrition. The event ended with the flagging off of an ambulance that has been customized to so as to cater to these villagers’ need for primary healthcare.

This initiative is also an effort to complement the State Government’s commitment through Atal Bal Arogya Evam Poshan Mission endorsed in State Assembly on 4th May 2010 with following objectives to be achieved in forthcoming 5 years:

· To reduce ‘Under 5 years’ mortality from 94.2 per 1000 live births to 60 per 1000 live births

· To bring down the present 60% rate of low weight children to 40%.

· To reduce present rate of 12.6% Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) to 5%

For further information, please contact:

Atul Malikram

9827092823

pr@atulmalikram.in