The Foundation is working to improve the public healthcare system by driving innovation, operational efficiency and productivity. eLAJ Smart Clinics have been set up at Primary Health Centres of the Government in Rajasthan and Karnataka, to strengthen services and support health information management. These clinics provide prevention, early diagnosis and treatment for better health outcomes and reduce out-of-pocket expenditure for patients. The in-house electronic patient record platform and real-time dashboard shapes the health system by enabling data-driven quality improvements. Our investment in preventive health education is a long-term strategy for disease prevention to lower the burden on the existing health infrastructure. We have designed and conducted community-based screening models for maternal and child health as well as chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension and common cancers. The enhancement of scope, quality and coverage has stimulated service utilisation and patient satisfaction. Read more about eLAJ
Impact Assessment Report - Executive Summary

The Oral Cancer Screen & Treat Program uses a Mobile Health (mHealth) module by which frontline health providers connect to specialists through a mobile app with a decision-based algorithm to capture data and images of oral abnormalities in resource-constrained settings. The system provides a continuous two-way communication, enabling patient triaging and tracking. This unique approach has a robust surveillance to monitor high-risk groups in population-based and opportunistic screenings. The simple interface lends itself to effective data capture by health providers at all levels. The program has rapidly gained traction as the scalable model for early detection and treatment of oral cancer.
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Know about Oral Cancer Task Force

Breast and cervical screenings conducted at Well Women and NCD Clinics, provide a unique opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment to improve survival rates. The preventive service for breast cancer includes the use of clinical breast examination (CBE) to detect any irregularities such as symmetry, size, colour, texture, discharge, cyst and lesion. Visual inspection with the application of acetic acid (VIA) and Pap test are established methods for rapid detection of precancerous lesions of the cervix. The positive cases are referred for confirmatory diagnosis and further treatment to identified tertiary centres.

Biocon Foundation conducts clinics for diagnosis, treatment, counselling and referrals for diet-related non-communicable diseases. End-organ damage is managed at eye and foot clinics by visiting specialists. We carry out periodic surveys for community risk profiling and execute health promotion and behaviour change strategies towards adoption of healthy eating habits and life style modifications in patients to prevent chronic morbidities and associated risk factors. In order to cater to the burgeoning healthcare concerns of the elderly and an upsurge in the mental health issues among the urban population, regular geriatric and mental health clinics are conducted.

An integrated screening program was aimed at controlling NCDs including diabetes, hypertension and oral, breast and cervical cancers, by increasing awareness about lifestyle modifications and providing training in self-breast and oral examination for Pourakarmikas, the sanitation workers of BBMP. Around 3,000 Pourakarmikas were screened from areas in BBMP West Zone, Bengaluru.

The Foundation has undertaken joint initiatives with NIMHANS to innovate, integrate and advocate public mental health. Bangalore Urban Mental Health Initiative (BUMHI) is to develop a mental health resource kit for supporting community informal care and self-care. The Healthy Hearing initiative will bridge the communication gap for the elderly by providing hearing aids to the needy elderly population. The School Mental Health program is being designed to address the technology addiction amongst adolescents.

Biocon Foundation runs Well Women and Well Baby Clinics in Karnataka. In support of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) of the Government of India, Biocon Foundation provided quality antenatal care, free of cost to all pregnant women through its eLAJ Smart Clinics in Rajasthan. The Foundation has also supported the Government of Rajasthan in effective implementation of Mission Indradhanush which resulted in an immunization rate of over 90% in the target population. The Balaspandana program addressed child undernutrition in Bagalkote, North Karnataka, in conjunction with the Government to supplement the functioning of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Grant-in-aid to The Akshaya Patra Foundation supports the midday meal program for government schools in Karnataka.

Biocon Foundation has embarked on a health education initiative in government high schools to provide knowledge, skills and attitude in matters related to nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, menstrual hygiene and prevention of sexual harassment. A comic book called Menstrupedia further reiterates these messages in a story based format adapted from real-life experiences in the local vernacular language. Our resource persons have designed training programs to enable students to promote good health practices in the community.

In a concerted effort to make rural areas Open Defecation Free (ODF), the Foundation has established multiple community and school sanitary complexes. The initiative which complements the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) of the Government of India, also looks at providing supporting utilities in terms of access to water for toilet hygiene and septic tanks. The Foundation has also entrusted itself with the responsibility to provide safe and adequate drinking water for the rural masses by installing, operating and maintaining Reverse Osmosis (RO) water purification units. We have made potable water accessible to improve the health, wellbeing and productivity in rural Karnataka.