SBI Foundation Launches ₹10 Crore Healthcare and Wildlife Conservation Projects in Andaman
Port Blair, October 31, 2026: SBI Foundation has launched two corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives worth ₹10 crore in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, focusing on cancer screening and prevention, and reducing human–saltwater crocodile conflict. The projects are being implemented in partnership with Ashray Foundation and Dakshin Foundation, respectively.
The initiatives were launched in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Dinesh Sharma, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands; G.S. Rana, DMD (HR) and CDO, State Bank of India; and other representatives of SBI, SBI Foundation and partner organisations.
Under the SBIF Cancer Care initiative, two dedicated mobile medical units will be deployed to screen 50,000 people for breast, cervical and oral cancers. The project also aims to reach 2 lakh people through community awareness and cancer prevention sessions.
The programme will facilitate referrals for individuals identified as being at high risk to advanced cancer care facilities. It will also support eligible patients in accessing government healthcare schemes, including Ayushman Bharat.
The second initiative, SBIF CONSERW: Reducing Human–Saltwater Crocodile Conflict in the Andaman Islands, is being implemented in partnership with Dakshin Foundation. It focuses on improving the safety of communities engaged in fishing and other livelihood activities in saltwater crocodile-prone areas of South Andaman.
As part of the project, 2,100 safety kits will be distributed to community members. Awareness and outreach workshops will also be conducted to familiarise residents with safety measures and encourage informed responses to potential human–wildlife conflict situations.
Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, said, “The true measure of development lies in building a healthy and secure society while preserving the natural environment for generations to come. The launch of SBI Foundation’s Cancer Care and Fishermen Safety initiatives in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands reflects this holistic vision of development. While the Cancer Care initiative seeks to strengthen early detection, awareness and access to timely treatment, the Fishermen Safety initiative focuses on protecting the lives and livelihoods of local fishing communities while promoting harmonious coexistence with wildlife. These initiatives underscore the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing critical social, health and environmental challenges through community participation, scientific interventions and sustainable solutions. I commend SBI Foundation, its implementing partners and all stakeholders for their commitment towards improving community health & well-being and safeguarding the unique ecological heritage of the Islands. I am confident that these efforts will create meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.”
G.S. Rana, DMD (HR) and CDO, State Bank of India, said, “By expanding its footprint of Corporate Social Responsibility in Andaman and Nicobar, State Bank of India reaffirms its commitment to building an inclusive, accessible and sustainable society. The interventions undertaken in these remote corners are in alignment with the efforts of the Government of India. By supporting cancer screening and prevention, alongside efforts to mitigate human–saltwater crocodile conflict, we aim to contribute to meaningful, lasting change in the lives of communities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These initiatives reflect our belief that responsible development must place people, communities, and the environment at its core.”
Swapan Dhar, Managing Director, SBI Foundation, said, “SBI Foundation continues to expand its footprint across India by supporting locally relevant solutions to critical social and environmental challenges. Through Cancer Care initiatives, we aim to improve access to cancer screening, awareness, and referral services, while environment and wildlife conservation efforts seek to strengthen community safety and promote coexistence between people and wildlife. Our partnerships with Ashray Foundation and Dakshin Foundation bring together specialised expertise and community engagement to address these needs. We remain committed to building resilient communities and advancing sustainable, long-term impact through collaborative action.”
Through these two initiatives, SBI Foundation is addressing healthcare access and community safety alongside environmental conservation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The projects combine mobile screening services, awareness programmes and safety interventions to support communities facing healthcare and human–wildlife conflict challenges.
