It is impossible to undermine the value of good health and robust healthcare systems in the overall growth and development of a society. The centrality of health- both in individual lives as well as in the broadest economic context- was reinforced during the pandemic. The government, corporates and civil society are now looking at healthcare with a renewed vision.
Haleon (erstwhile GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) is one of the global leaders in consumer healthcare. As a corporation, Haleon is committed to the highest standards of sustainability. It strives towards promoting health inclusivity and a better environment through its core business as well as social initiatives. In this interview, Ms. Shanu Saksena, India Head CSR & Head, Ethics & Compliance ISC and Wider Asia, discusses different initiatives taken by Haleon India- their objectives, implementation partners and how these align with their global vision. She also shares her views on how CSR and corporate-NGO relations have evolved in India over the years.
Q. Haleon India recently awarded Sensodyne IDA Shining Star Scholarships to 143 meritorious students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Dental Sciences. What was the selection process for this scholarship programme?
Sensodyne IDA Shining Star Scholarship Programme is our CSR initiative to provide financial support to meritorious students pursuing Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from underprivileged communities pan India.
Haleon India partnered with Buddy4Study (NGO) to implement this CSR scholarship program and with Indian Dental Association as the Knowledge partner. 143 students from 21 states and 130+ cities pursuing first-year BDS program from government and government-funded colleges were recently awarded the Sensodyne IDA Shining Star Scholarships by Haleon India.
To be eligible, applicants were required to be meritorious and from marginalised sections of society. The annual family income of applicants should not have exceeded INR 8,00,000/- from all sources. Each successfully selected student would receive INR 1,05,000 per year for four years to support their BDS course, academic and living expenses incurred towards their BDS programme.
Q. What was the core objective behind launching this program? How does it align with the overall CSR strategy of Haleon India?
A. Often many meritorious, underprivileged students drop-out from formal education system due to lack of financial support. To bridge the learning gap, and promote education, we initiated this program by extending scholarships to enable and augment 143 meritorious, underprivileged students pursuing 4-year BDS course from government and government-funded colleges pan India. It is a true representation of Haleon’s purpose to deliver better everyday health with humanity.
Widespread disparities exist and it adversely impact communities around us. Through our various CSR programs, Haleon India is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and to contributing positively to the communities it serves. Our CSR strategy focuses on healthcare, education and environmental sustainability to build healthy, inclusive communities for the economically marginalised sections. Under the Sensodyne IDA Shining Star Scholarship we aim to not only enable underprivileged meritorious students access to quality education but also promote excellence in dental healthcare in India.
Q. What led you to choose Buddy4Study as the implementation partner for this programme? What are the most decisive parameters that Haleon considers while finalising implementation partners for its initiatives?
A. We particularly chose Buddy4Study as the implementation partner for this initiative due to its strong track record in the scholarship sector, wide network of educational institutions and robust selection process for identifying eligible students. Additionally, Buddy4Study's focus on social impact aligned well with Sensodyne's mission to improve oral health and contribute to skill development. This partnership leverages the strengths and expertise of both organizations to create a meaningful social impact and contribute towards the development of skilled dental professionals in India.
Q. How has the corporate-NGO relationship evolved in recent years? What are your suggestions for both parties to optimise on their respective strengths and maximise the impact they can create together?
A. The corporate-NGO relationship has evolved significantly in recent years, with robust governance, implementation, and monitoring mechanism of the CSR programs. India is the first country in the world to introduce statutory CSR through the new Companies Act, 2013.
In the past, NGOs were often seen as recipients of corporate donations, but now, NGOs are increasingly being seen as partners who can help corporations achieve their social responsibility goals. One of the key changes in the relationship has been a shift towards more strategic partnerships. Rather than simply donating funds to NGOs, corporations are now seeking to work with NGOs in a more integrated way.
5. What are the focus areas for Haleon’s CSR in India in 2023? Could you mention the main programmes under each thrust area?
We take our CSR obligations very seriously and therefore work tirelessly to improve the lives of communities we operate in. At Haleon India, we want to tackle specific barriers through our CSR initiatives, to ensure our continued commitment in areas where we can make the greatest impact. Access to oral health and primary healthcare, along with dental education, and environmental sustainability to help breathe clean air are the areas where we have partnered with expert NGOs to implement these programs.
6. Haleon is working towards Health Inclusivity through its core business as well as outreach programs. Could you elaborate a little on your recent CSR endeavours towards building healthy communities in India?
A. Our CSR endeavours towards building healthy community in India include:
Smile Train India – We partnered with Smile Train India to alleviate the cleft burden for India, by offering 100%-free, quality, and safe cleft surgeries to underprivileged children. We also support India’s only toll-free number to address to queries related to cleft treatment to the marginalised community.
Smile Foundation – We recognize the disparities that exist in underserved communities when it comes to oral health. So, we launched, Smile on Wheels Mobile Dental Vans, in partnership with Smile Foundation, to bring dental care to the doorstep of the underprivileged communities in Delhi NCR.
By offering free treatment and bringing dental care to those who need it most, these initiatives are making a difference in the lives of those affected by oral healthcare disparities.
Buddy4Study – To bridge the learning gap we partnered with Buddy4Study and IDA to launch Sensodyne IDA Shining Star scholarship to enable and augment 143 meritorious, underprivileged students pursuing 4-year BDS course in government colleges. By enabling and augmenting underprivileged and meritorious students, the program is making a significant contribution to the education and future success of these students, and ultimately to the healthcare system in India.
Green Yatra - We partnered with Green Yatra, environmental NGO, to plant 35000 saplings of 50+ native species using the Miyawaki technique over a 3-acre land in New Delhi to recreate an urban forest. The aim is to create the largest Miyawaki Forest in Delhi to help the city dwellers breathe clean air. Trees play a critical role in maintaining air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. By planting a large number of trees in a small area using the Miyawaki technique, the partnership aims to maximize the air-cleaning benefits of the forest.
SevaMob – We have four fully equipped vans to provide free dental care to the underprivileged communities. Each unit is staffed with two registered dentists, community mobiliser and a project coordinator. The mobile dental clinics can travel to different locations, making it easier for patients to access the dental care services they need. This is particularly important for the underprivileged communities that may not have access to transportation or other resources needed to access dental care services.
Q. Environment is another key area that Haleon focuses on with very specific targets pertaining to carbon emissions, sustainable packaging and ingredients, etc. What are Haleon’s most significant achievements/milestones in India pertaining to environment in the recent past?
A. We believe in going beyond the call of duty to create opportunities for communities to enjoy better everyday health. We are focused on continually reducing the environmental impact of our products and operations by plastic reduction and paper reduction, whilst equally focusing on positive impacts and identifying opportunities. We are working with leading standards and industry groups to do this. For ssustainable sourcing of ingredients, we conduct business with third parties that maintain high ethical standards and operate responsibly. Under the Extended Producer Responsibility, we have collected and processed 7800 + million tons of plastic from FY 19-20 to 21-22.
Q. Haleon has a very transparent ESG reporting mechanism. Do you think current ESG reporting norms in India are sufficient to assess the overall sustainability of businesses? How can we do better?
A. Like Corporate Social Responsibility, ESG disclosures have also evolved in India. The focus on development of ESG reporting framework in recent years is a consequence of the need for building back better business ecosystem. The reporting framework has evolved, and companies today integrate forward looking metrics and opportunities assessment in their ESG strategy.
