The Child In Need Institute (CINI) marked its 52nd Foundation Day in Kolkata with the launch of Shubhayu, a preventive healthcare and wellness programme aimed at addressing long-term health risks among underprivileged children and vulnerable communities.
The initiative was formally inaugurated by Indrani Bhattacharya, Chief Executive Officer, CINI, marking the beginning of the changed focus of the organisation towards preventive health care, wellness, and enhanced community health systems. On the occasion, the founder secretary, Mr. Samir Chaudhuri, discussed the future roadmap of the organisation, stressing the importance of a change from mere cure toward prevention and wellness approaches.
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A life-course approach to health
Project Shubhayu has been conceptualised as a holistic model that goes beyond conventional healthcare delivery. Instead of focusing only on treatment, the programme integrates physical health, mental well-being, social security, environmental balance and human dignity. It promotes healthy living across all stages of life, from pre-conception and childhood to adulthood and old age with emphasis on early risk identification, long-term behaviour changes and continuity of care.
Speaking at the launch, Bhattacharya said Shubhayu responds to the rising burden of diabetes, hypertension, anaemia, nutrition-related disorders and mental health concerns, trends that have become more pronounced in the post-Covid period. She noted that preventive interventions rooted in communities are essential to ensure equitable access to healthcare and to reduce avoidable illness later in life.
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As part of the Foundation Day programme, CINI organised on-site health screenings, including blood sugar and blood pressure checks, offering participants an immediate glimpse into the preventive focus of the new initiative.
The event was attended by Dilip Mandal, West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson Tulika Das, and WBCPCR advisor Ananya Chakraborty Chatterjee, along with senior stakeholders and partner organisations.
