In a major philanthropic initiative reaffirming its commitment to social development, Infosys Foundation has pledged a grant of over ₹48 crore to significantly improve maternal and child healthcare infrastructure in rural Karnataka. The Foundation, led by Chairperson Sudha Murty until her recent retirement and currently under new leadership, continues to focus on critical grassroots health interventions that align with national goals to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates in underserved communities.
The Vision Behind The Grant
This initiative is aimed at transforming public healthcare delivery by supporting the construction, renovation, and upgradation of maternal and child health facilities in the remotest parts of Karnataka. The programme focuses on:
- Reducing Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): Strengthening emergency obstetric care, availability of specialist doctors, and operational readiness of labour rooms.
- Lowering Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Ensuring neonatal care units are fully equipped with life-saving devices, trained nurses, and paediatric support.
- Improving Institutional Deliveries: Encouraging pregnant women to choose hospital-based deliveries through improved infrastructure and better patient experience.
- Enhancing Preventive Healthcare: Facilitating vaccination drives, anaemia screening, nutrition counselling, and early identification of high-risk pregnancies.
Key Components of the Healthcare Grant Programme
The ₹48 crore grant will fund multiple high-impact interventions across identified districts of Karnataka. The breakdown of the planned allocation includes:
| Focus Area | Planned Investment (₹ Crore) | Outcome Target |
|---|---|---|
| Construction of maternal & child health wings in government hospitals | 20 | 5 new facilities with 50-100 beds each |
| Upgradation of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) with maternity care equipment | 12 | 40 PHCs to be equipped with delivery beds, neonatal warmers, and essential surgical instruments |
| Deployment of Mobile Medical Units for remote villages | 6 | 8 units operational covering over 300 villages |
| Training & skill development programmes for doctors and nurses | 5 | Capacity building of over 1,000 healthcare workers in maternal and neonatal care protocols |
| Nutrition counselling & health awareness programmes for pregnant women | 5 | Reach out to 25,000+ women through community campaigns |
Why Karnataka Needs This Intervention
Despite Karnataka’s strong healthcare indicators compared to the national average, significant rural-urban disparities persist. According to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) report:
- MMR in Karnataka: 83 per 100,000 live births
- IMR in Karnataka: 23 per 1,000 live births
The figures in remote districts such as Raichur, Yadgir, Koppal, and Chamarajanagar are worse than the state average, attributed to lack of access to trained obstetricians, delays in emergency referrals, and poor maternal nutrition.
Infosys Foundation’s Broader Healthcare Legacy
This pledge is part of Infosys Foundation’s longstanding focus on health and rural development. Previous flagship healthcare projects include:
- Establishment of the Infosys Super Speciality Hospital block at Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research, Bengaluru.
- Upgradation of trauma centres in various government medical colleges.
- COVID-19 support with ICU bed funding and oxygen concentrator distribution across India.
- Rural sanitation programmes and construction of toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission.
- Partnership with NGOs for cancer screening camps and dialysis centres in remote areas.
Leadership Speaks
Speaking on the announcement, Nilanjan Roy, Trustee of Infosys Foundation, said:
“Maternal and child health remains a neglected challenge in many parts of India. Our mission is to ensure every woman has access to safe delivery care and every newborn gets a healthy start to life. We will continue to support initiatives aligned with national and state healthcare goals.”
Strategic Impact And Alignment With Sustainable Development Goals
This project aligns directly with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, which targets ending preventable maternal and neonatal deaths by 2030. By focusing on infrastructure, capacity building, and preventive health, Infosys Foundation is supporting both the state government’s Vision 2025 and India’s National Health Policy objectives.
Expected Challenges And Mitigation Strategies
While the grant promises transformational impact, implementation in rural Karnataka faces challenges such as:
- Shortage of specialists: Despite equipment availability, lack of doctors limits service delivery. The Foundation plans to support recruitment incentives in collaboration with district health societies.
- Maintenance of medical equipment: Capacity building of biomedical engineers and annual maintenance contracts will be part of the project rollout.
- Community resistance or low utilisation: Behavioural change communication through Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and local panchayats will promote acceptance.
Stakeholder Reactions
Public health experts and NGOs working in maternal and child health have welcomed the announcement. Dr. Vasudha Bhat, a senior gynaecologist in North Karnataka, noted:
“This grant can be a game-changer, especially if integrated with government health schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana and LaQshya for labour room quality improvement. The focus on training nurses in neonatal resuscitation is particularly critical.”
Community leaders highlighted that mobile medical units will be impactful for tribal populations in forested belts who have poor connectivity to health facilities.
Long-Term Vision
Infosys Foundation’s intervention is not just aimed at immediate infrastructure upgrades. Its model seeks to create sustainable community healthcare ecosystems by:
- Empowering local health workers through periodic training and mentorship
- Building local women health volunteers to act as nutrition and care ambassadors
- Supporting digital health record management to strengthen maternal tracking and immunisation data
Conclusion
The ₹48 crore pledge by Infosys Foundation stands as a testament to the organisation’s enduring philosophy of giving back to society with high-impact interventions. As the project unfolds over the coming 24-36 months, it promises to bring safer deliveries, healthier babies, and empowered rural women in Karnataka’s remotest corners, setting an example for corporates and philanthropies in bridging India’s rural healthcare gaps.
Disclaimer: This news article is for information and public awareness purposes only. Readers are advised to refer to official announcements by Infosys Foundation and Karnataka’s health department for detailed programme guidelines and updates.
