AHMEDABAD (India CSR): Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Zydus Group is a driving force behind the organization’s commitment to uplifting underserved communities. One of the key areas where this vision is brought to life is in the aspirational district of Dahod, Gujarat, where Zydus has implemented a range of impactful initiatives. Focusing on healthcare, education research and skill development, Zydus aims to uplift underserved populations by addressing critical gaps.
Zydus Srishti: A Holistic Approach to CSR
Zydus Srishti is the organization’s comprehensive CSR programme designed to address various aspects of community welfare. Through its CSR efforts, Zydus is working towards fostering sustainable development, ensuring that these initiatives create long-term social value. By providing accessible healthcare, quality education, and fostering innovations, skill development and environment sustainability, the company plays a vital role in enhancing the well-being of the local communities. These projects are not only designed to address the immediate needs of the region but also to create healthier, more resilient communities that can thrive in the future.
In Dahod, Zydus Srishti has been instrumental in delivering medical assistance to those in need while also investing in quality education through Zydus Medical College and Hospital. The initiative represents Zydus’ commitment to improving lives by creating access to world-class healthcare services and education for the local population.
Zydus Hospital in Dahod: A Hub for Medical Excellence
To address healthcare challenges in Dahod, the Government of Gujarat, set out to transform healthcare delivery outcomes in the region through a public-private partnership (PPP) in 2017. As a part of this, Zydus Foundation established Zydus Medical College and Hospital (ZMCH) in Dahod. ZMCH has rapidly emerged as a beacon of hope, offering high quality healthcare services to the tribal and underserved populations across Eastern Gujarat and neighbouring districts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The hospital is offering a comprehensive range of medical specialties including general medicines, general surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedics, dental, ENT, anaesthesiology, radiology and ophthalmology. It has state-of-the-art facilities such as casualty services, a blood bank, ambulance services, laboratory diagnostics, radiological diagnostics, and modernized operation theatres ensuring holistic healthcare provision to its beneficiaries.
Free Healthcare Services for the Underprivileged
Zydus Medical College and Hospital in Dahod has emerged as a beacon of medical excellence, providing free treatments such as outpatient consultations, surgeries, anaesthesia, essential medicines and food for patients. In the last one year i.e. 2024-25 (April to March), the hospital treated over 4,20,646 patients, 39.98 lacs lab investigations, 2.21 lakhs radiology investigations, through dedicated 393 medical and specialist doctors, 600 nurses and paramedics.
Surgeries for various medical conditions are performed at no cost to the patient, supporting the vision of universal health coverage. High-end diagnostic services like MRI, CT scans, and mammography are also offered, ensuring that even the most vulnerable members of society receive top-tier medical care.
This commitment to free medical services is not just limited to treatment but extends to providing high-cost medical drugs at no cost to economically disadvantaged individuals. For families who cannot afford private healthcare, Zydus Hospital, Dahod, offers a much-needed alternative without any financial burden, further contributing to community well-being.
With a comprehensive range of medical services that are provided free of cost, the hospital has transformed from a modest facility into a sprawling infrastructure equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities.
Pankaj Patel, Chairman of Zydus Lifesciences Limited and Zydus Foundation shares, “Zydus Medical College and Hospital, Dahod, is an important healthcare hub in a remote area and offering services to an underserved population. Today the hospital bridges unmet healthcare needs in terms of preventive healthcare, critical surgeries and a wide range of treatment options for which patients had to travel to the urban areas. The Zydus Medical College is also nurturing a new generation of dedicated doctors and medical professionals contributing to the health of the nation.”
Patient Stories: Transforming Lives Through Compassionate Care
The impact of Zydus’ health initiatives can be seen through the many stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by the care they received at Zydus Hospital, Dahod.
One such story is that of Satish Bhura Lalji Makwana, a patient undergoing diabetes treatment at the hospital. Struggling with low energy and ineffective treatment at a local clinic, Satish found new hope at Zydus. The personalized care, coupled with free medications, helped him regain his health, demonstrating Zydus’ commitment to patient-centred care.
Another story is that of a 15-year-old girl from the interiors of Dahod district who experienced persistent abdominal pain and was brought to Zydus Hospital, Dahod. Upon examination, it was discovered that she had a hairy tumour in her abdomen due to Trichophagia, a condition where individuals eat their own hair. This led to a rare condition known as Rapunzel Syndrome. During surgery, a 90 cm long and 1 kg heavy bundle of hair was found extending from her stomach to her small intestine. The ZMCH surgical team successfully removed the hair bundle. Post-operatively, the patient was stable and has received psychiatric counselling. The doctors at Zydus Hospital, Dahod, demonstrated exceptional skill and care in managing this rare and complex case, ensuring the patient’s recovery and well-being.
Another compelling story is that a 37-week pregnant patient from Alirajpur. A sickle cell positive patient, her pulse was 109, blood pressure of 104/78, and SpO2 of 98%. She was fully dilated and effaced, delivering her baby normally, travelled 70+kms to access the hospital’s service. However, she experienced postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), necessitating intubation twice. She had multiple vaginal and cervical tears, which were repaired before being moved to the operating room. She received multiple blood transfusions and was on ventilator support for nearly 15 days. After a month of recovery, both mother and baby were healthy and discharged.
Their trust in the hospital’s expertise and the free treatment they received helped them overcome a potentially life-threatening condition, emphasizing Zydus’ role in delivering critical healthcare to remote and underserved regions.
Meha Patel, Vice Chairperson, of Zydus Foundation shares, “The health of the nation is one of the critical pillars of development. The Zydus Medical College and Hospital (ZMCH) at Dahod is providing critical services to people and communities who are in dire need of it. Over the last 8 years it has transformed the healthcare landscape of the region by providing access to the best-in-class medical facilities free of cost for various specialities. In terms of maternal health, neo-natal care, critical surgeries, emergency and trauma care, ZMCH offers invaluable services in a timely and expeditious manner.”
Medical Advancements in the Aspirational District
Zydus Medical College in Dahod is a self-financed brownfield medical institution that was set up as part of Gujarat’s National Health Policy in 2016. It offers an MBBS program aimed at providing quality medical education to the tribal and underprivileged populations. Since its inception, the college has enrolled over 800 students, contributing to the creation of a new generation of healthcare professionals committed to serving marginalized communities through its state-of-the-art campus Zydus medical college.
In 2023, the National Medical Commission approved 63 postgraduate seats in specialized subjects such as Microbiology, Pathology, and General Medicine, further enhancing the institution’s capacity to deliver high-quality medical education. The focus on research and medical advancements ensures that Zydus Medical College plays a crucial role in addressing the healthcare needs of aspirational districts like Dahod. Presently there are 78 PG seats. The college is also has introduced super specialty courses like DM (Cardiology), DM (Nephrology), MCh (Neurosurgery), MCh (Urology) also.
Social Initiatives: Beyond Healthcare
While healthcare is a significant focus, Zydus’ CSR efforts extend beyond medical treatment. Their social initiatives include nutritional rehabilitation centres aimed at supporting severely malnourished children, particularly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
These centres provide essential services to improve the health outcomes of vulnerable populations, ensuring that children receive the nutrition and care they need to thrive.
Moreover, Zydus is committed to providing childcare services to economically disadvantaged patients, ensuring that no one is left without access to quality care. These initiatives reflect Zydus’ dedication to addressing the broader social determinants of health and well-being.
A Growing Impact: A Vision for the Future
As Zydus continues to expand its CSR initiatives in Dahod, the impact on the local communities is becoming more apparent. The significant increase in the number of surgeries, treatments, and medical services provided year after year demonstrates the growing reach of Zydus’ programs. The program is coming out with new initiatives by creating Centre of Excellence for sickle cell disease, Cancer care and Safe motherhood in near future.
Zydus’ long-term vision is to continue expanding its services and improving healthcare accessibility in aspirational districts like Dahod. By investing in medical education, research, and community welfare, Zydus is laying the foundation for healthier, more resilient communities.
Must Know Facts: CSR of Zydus in the aspirational district of Dahod
| Key Facts | Details since 2017 |
| Location | Dahod, Gujarat |
| Number of Beds | 1034 |
| Doctors and Paramedics | a team of 393 doctors and 600 nursing staff |
| High-end Medical Services | MRI, CTScan, Mammography, Emergency, Trauma centre, blood bank services 24×7 etc |
| Hospital catered to free of cost medical services (2017- 2025 March) | |
| Outpatients treated | 23,63,585 |
| In Patients treated | 2,58,232 |
| Surgeries | 1,49,137 |
| Laboratory tests (Pathology/biochemistry /microbiology tests | 1,59,69,454 |
| X-rays conducted | 7,04,352 |
| Radiology Investigations | 9,24,208 |
| Zydus Medical College | |
| Graduation seats | Enrolled over 800 students |
| Postgraduate Seats | 78 seats in various specializations |
The state-of-the-art facilities have helped us deliver exceptional results said by Dr Sanjay Kumar, CEO of ZMCH, Zydus Foundation.
Zydus’ Corporate social responsibility efforts in the aspirational district of Dahod are a testament to the organization’s commitment to improving lives through healthcare, education, and social initiatives.
(India CSR)
