Karnataka govt & C-CAMP convene second roundtable to advance public health partnerships

New Delhi: The Government of Karnataka, in partnership with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), recently held the second Roundtable on Health.

This event aimed to redefine public healthcare partnerships in the state by leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and philanthropy to implement innovative health technologies. The initiative focuses on joint projects to introduce and scale advanced health technologies across Karnataka.

The roundtable, held nine months after the first event, brought together leaders from CSR and philanthropic organizations and Karnataka government representatives to review project updates, impacts, and future plans. Discussions highlighted the strategic use of CSR funds to tackle healthcare challenges and improve infrastructure and service delivery in the state.

The meeting also focused on key healthcare priorities for 2024, with a roadmap set for the next 3-5 years to enhance public health systems with affordable, accessible, and high-quality indigenous health solutions, aiming to improve healthcare outcomes across the state.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao, and attended by key leaders from the Karnataka Health Department, including Principal Secretary Harsh Gupta, IAS; Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Services Randeep D, IAS; and Mission Director of the National Health Mission, Dr. Naveen Bhat, IAS.

Reflecting on the progress made since the first roundtable, Minister Rao expressed the determination to make Karnataka a model for healthcare excellence. “By leveraging CSR and philanthropic support, we aim to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, ensuring that every citizen benefits from high-quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare. We look forward to new ideas and ongoing efforts that will pave the way for a healthier future for Karnataka,” he said.

The roundtable included participation from industry leaders and foundations such as Infosys Foundation, USAID, GE Healthcare, Bosch Global Software Technologies, AstraZeneca, Biocon Foundation, HCL Foundation, Intel Corporation, UNICEF, Micro Labs, Anthem Biosciences, Sattva Consulting, Volvo Group India, Cognizant Foundation, Aastrika Foundation, Ashraya Hastha Trust, JSW Foundation, Live Love Laugh Foundation, Swasth Alliance – ACT for Health, Colgate Palmolive, and Siemens Healthineers. C-CAMP, as India’s leading innovation ecosystem for health-tech solutions, led the discussion.

Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, C-CAMP Director-CEO, highlighted the need to democratize access to advanced healthcare technologies. “Through industry and private partnership-funded projects, backed by a strong drive from the Govt. of Karnataka, we aim to introduce deep-science and technology-driven, quality health technologies solutions to significantly impact public healthcare. We believe philanthropic and CSR partnership can provide the risk capital and support to generate evidence of the role of innovation in augmenting public health systems,” he stated.

In the past year, C-CAMP has partnered with Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Department and the National Health Mission to improve maternal and child care and provide comprehensive eye care across the state. This strategic alliance, established in August 2023, aims to enhance public healthcare by introducing indigenous health solutions and innovations.

Project Early Life, initiated in February 2024 with the Infosys Foundation, focuses on strengthening maternal and newborn health infrastructure in the Dharwad and Ballari districts. It employs advanced fetal monitoring technology and provides infrastructure-independent Continuous Positive Airway Pressure systems for newborns in respiratory distress.

Additionally, a comprehensive eye care program with ACT for Health spans 11 districts under the Karnataka State Vision Care program, Asha Kirana. This initiative uses AI-based retinopathy screening and digital devices, benefiting 2.4 lakh people. The Sarige Asha Kirana project offers eye care and free spectacles for public transport personnel, potentially improving safety for 1.1 crore daily commuters in Karnataka.