Over the past decade, Lakeshore Hospital has strived to do more than merely cure ailments and tend to one’s health
Text: FWD Media Photos: Various Sources
With twelve years of providing state-of-the art medical care under to their name, Lakeshore Hospital & Research Centre Ltd has gained reputation nationally and internationally. The hospital has been instrumental in bringing the latest innovations in the field of medical science to the country and providing the best possible treatment at affordable costs. The policies and programs of Lakeshore Hospital are structured around their four pillars: ethics, community, environment and diversity. To carry out philanthropic activities systematically and to deliver care to the public, the CSR policy approved by the Board of Lakeshore was effectively put into place from 1st April, 2014. Since, then Lakeshore has been striving hard to deliver the best to the community through their CSR activities and projects.
Key CSR Areas
World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Upholding this definition for health, the company believes that healthcare should not be seen synonymous to treatment of diseases alone while health promotion and disease prevention should be given adequate stress. Towards this, the company recognizes the relevance of considering the social determinants of health such as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels.
Flagship Programmes
- Education support has been the flagship project of Lakeshore – Education is a key determinant to good health. Activities under this head transcend the conventional thought of education of children with a standard curriculum alone. While considering the other determinants of education and health, the following components are incorporated
- Nutritional support: Nutritional balance is essential for good health and learning for children /students. Nutritional support program in one of the schools in Panangad Village is ongoing for many years.
- Smart class room for underprivileged students: Computer lab and projector for a smart class has been provided to two schools where all the students come from a poor socioeconomic status.
- Capacity building of school teachers to scientifically teach students with specific learning disabilities. A program to train teachers from all the schools on identification and remedial teaching for specific learning disability in the district has been initiated in association with District Administration and Indian Medical Association.
- Learning as a lifelong process: Sacred Heart College and St. Theresa’scollege have become the FIRST“age-friendly college” in the country where older persons of any age can get enrolled to various courses. Currently more than 500 older persons with a good representation of older women even in their 80’s who joined computer and smart phone classes. Students of the college with an aptitude for teaching are teachers and college teachers are mentors – hence promoting intergenerational learning and exchanges. An employment exchange for older persons has been initiated under the project.
- University of Third Age: This is an opportunity for older persons to continue development and learning as they age. Apart from general awareness classes, specific skill development programs and vocational training programs are conducted to improve their employability.
- Sanitation: Good toilets and wash rooms are essential components of health for students. Toilets have been built for schools towards this.
- Health Awareness classes: For students, teachers and parents on general health and prevention of tobacco, alcohol and substance abuse.
Promoting gender equality and empowering women
A project named STREE (Social Transformation through Responsiveness Equity and Empowerment) is under implementation in MaraduMuniciality with a comprehensive aim of promoting safety, security of women and children while promoting gender equity and empowerment.
Smart Partnering
CSR Opportunities gain more mileage and provide better reach to common man with strategic partnersips. Lakeshore has currently formed partnership with –Indian Medical Association – Project on Learning disability, Ernakulam District Panchayat – Age-friendly Ernakulam, Grievance councelling and guidance centre for Migrant workers in Ernakulam, Ernakulam District Administration: Project on Learning disability, Maradu Municipality: Age-friendly Ernakulam, Grievance councelling and guidance centre for Migrant workers in Ernakulam, Provision of environment friendly carrybags for all households in municipality, Alzhiemers and Related Disorders Society of India: Regular weekly dementia screening for one year (52 screening camps) in association with IMA and Vayomitram, Further partnership with CSR of Federal Bank, TCS, Shipyard, BPCL are being explored to implement various projects initiated by VPS Lakeshore in the following years.
Future Projects
Lakeshore is focusing to come up with more projects on environment and health.
Focus Areas
- Eradication of hunger and malnutrition
- Health promotion
- Supporting Government initiatives in healthcare especially in preventive health, maternal and child health and care of older persons.
- Sanitation
- Availability of safe drinking water
- Campaign against use of alcohol, smoking, drug abuse etc.
- Promoting education including special education and employment enhancing vocation skills.
- Promoting gender equality and empowering women.
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