Project Roshni adds digital wing in Zila Parishad School, Palghar

Palghar : As a part of Project Roshni 2022, Roche Diagnostics and Shed Foundation dedicated a digital wing at Zilla Parishad School, Kondwapada to ensure continued learning for children in the region. Mr. Narendra Varde, Managing Director – Roche Diagnostics India & Neighbouring Markets along with local government authority, Tehsildar, Sunil Shinde, and Gram Panchayat members visited the school.

Team Roshini also conducted free health check-up camps and educational programs for over 3 days where over 400 women were screened for nutritional status, hemoglobin counts, thyroid, diabetes, and other women’s health-related issues. These women will be provided with guidance, support, and medication for any deficiency or disease diagnosed.

Addressing the gathering, at the event, Mr. Narendra Varde, Managing Director – Roche Diagnostics India & Neighbouring Markets said: “When we initiated Project Roshni along with SHED in 2015, our priority was to help women manage their hemoglobin deficiency which was as low as 6 grams per deciliter. Over the years, with various integration of nutritional support programs, education on healthy diet and hygiene, infrastructure support for sanitation and clean drinking water as well as skill development, we have been able to improve health outcomes in this village. Today, I am so proud to see how this project has touched the lives of more than 5000 people and has gone beyond the provision of basic healthcare needs to empower, equip and transform lives. At Roche Diagnostics, we are committed to expanding access to quality, sustainable diagnostic testing while contributing to the sustainable development goals in India. Through Project Roshni, we are trying to bridge the various gaps in healthcare and human empowerment.”

Mr. Sunil Shinde, Tehsildar, Palghar, said, “In remote areas like ours, people often do not have access to proper healthcare, sanitation, and education. Getting appropriate and timely medical aid at most times is a challenge, especially for women and children. Moreover, women in this region have extremely low HB levels and are anemic. Project Roshni has really transformed our village and empowered our women and children in so many ways. The nutritional support, education, and livelihood training provided under this initiative has uplifted their lives. When the pandemic hit the nation, the Roshni team came forward to help and support families by distributing foodgrains and all other essentials. We are really grateful to Roche for their continued support, especially for the digital school that has helped our children continue their studies but will also add immensely to their confidence. It is very heartening to see that Roche Diagnostics is with us and we are not alone in this struggle. ”

Project Roshi is a unique community outreach program that addresses the health and livelihood issues of tribal women from Palgar, Maharashtra. The Project was initiated in 2015 to address the issue of anemia amongst women in two tribal clusters (comprising 17 villages) of Palghar, in Maharashtra. Today, going beyond anemia management for 100 severely anemic women, the program provides livelihood management skills and revenue earning options for 500 women already, so that they can afford nutritional food and sustained healthcare. Employee participation has been the hallmark of the initiative. Some cancer patients have even received healthcare and financial aid to help fight the disease and survive. Today, more than 400 families including 5000 women have benefited from this project. Moreover, during the pandemic, volunteers of the Roshini project helped support around 300 families with daily nutrition, healthcare, vaccination education, and other assistance.