In a significant move towards enhancing healthcare accessibility, the Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI), regional institute-IV, Nagpur, and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, have formally joined forces through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration marks the launch of Project Dhwani, a dedicated corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at offering free cochlear implant surgery and comprehensive rehabilitation services to hearing-impaired children in the region.
Official Signing Ceremony and Key Attendees
The MoU was officially signed by Dr Prashant P Joshi, the executive director of AIIMS Nagpur, and Nripendra Nath, director (T/RD&T) of CMPDI RI-IV. The ceremony was graced by senior officials from both institutions, underscoring the importance of this partnership. Among the dignitaries present were Rajesh Ralhan, regional director of CMPDI RI-IV; Dr Manish Shrigiriwar, nodal officer for AB-PMJAY and MJPJAY at AIIMS Nagpur; Shantanu Shrivastava, head of department (HR) at CMPDI RI-IV; Sunil Jadala, manager (HR) at CMPDI RI-IV; Siddhartha Verma, deputy manager (HR) at CMPDI RI-IV; Dr Nilesh Nagdeve, medical superintendent of AIIMS Nagpur; Dr Vijay Bidkar, professor and head of the ENT department; Dr Nitin Marathe, joint medical superintendent and nodal officer for CSR; Himanshu R Saxena, deputy manager (finance executive) at CMPDI RI-IV; and Gaurav Sharma, manager (geology) at CMPDI RI-IV.
Focus on Underprivileged Children
Dr Joshi praised the initiative for its targeted approach in serving underprivileged children. He emphasized that Project Dhwani is specifically designed to support pre-lingual children up to the age of 7 years. These beneficiaries will be selected from Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) families who are currently ineligible for existing government schemes such as MJPJAY or AB-PMJAY, thereby filling a critical gap in healthcare support.
Financial Sponsorship and Project Details
CMPDI has committed to fully sponsoring the treatment under this project. The sponsorship will cover all associated costs, including the cochlear implant device, surgical procedures, and necessary consumables. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 65.5 lakh, which will benefit 13 children, with an allocation of approximately Rs 5 lakh per child. To ensure effective implementation, the project will be rolled out in phases: 3 beneficiaries are slated for the financial year 2025-26, followed by 10 beneficiaries in the financial year 2026-27.
Transparent Selection Process
To maintain transparency and uphold medical eligibility standards, the selection of beneficiaries will be overseen by a joint committee comprising representatives from both CMPDI RI-IV and AIIMS Nagpur. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that the assistance reaches those most in need while adhering to strict medical criteria.
Project Dhwani represents a commendable effort by CMPDI and AIIMS Nagpur to leverage corporate resources for social good, potentially transforming the lives of hearing-impaired children and their families in the Nagpur region. By addressing a specific healthcare need, this initiative sets a positive example for other institutions to follow in contributing to community welfare through targeted CSR activities.
