Despite being the financial capital of India, Mumbai faces significant health care disparities. Millions of people living in urban slums struggle to access affordable health care, while overcrowding, malnutrition and limited health awareness contribute to the growing burden of preventable diseases. Women, children, adolescent girls and daily wage earners are among the most vulnerable populations.
In this backdrop, Human Social Care Foundation (HSCF) organized “Mumbai Health Summit 2026: Advancing Mobile Healthcare for Underprivileged Communities with Special Focus on Anemia and Cancer Prevention of Adolescent Girls” at Kalina Campus, University of Mumbai.
Participating online from the Philippines, Delphine Guiducos stressed the importance of long-term investments in preventive health care and community health programs. He commended the efforts of HSCF President and Chief UN Representative Faizan Ahmed Azizi, noting that Azizi’s contributions to UN proceedings have consistently focused on practical, solution-oriented approaches to public health challenges.
An important outcome of the summit was the signing of a cooperation agreement between Criticare Asia Hospital Group and HSCF.
Under the partnership, Criticare Asia Hospital Group will provide free blood testing and medical consultation services for school girls as part of an organized anemia prevention program coordinated by HSCF. The initiative aims to identify cases of anemia early and provide appropriate medical guidance, nutritional counseling and follow-up support.
Dr. Amit Parikh, CEO of Criticare Asia Hospital Group, affirmed the hospital’s commitment towards community health and social responsibility.
The summit also announced the launch of a mobile medical care unit that will provide free primary health care services to the underprivileged population in slums and surrounding rural areas.
The initiative is expected to improve early detection of disease, reduce health care costs, strengthen maternal and adolescent health, and increase awareness about sanitation, nutrition and hygiene.
Preventive health care. With reports showing that anemia affects around 40-50 per cent of adolescent girls in Mumbai’s slum communities – and more than 50 per cent in some areas like Kurla – the initiative will initially focus on high-risk communities where health care needs are most urgent.
HSCF also honored distinguished health care professionals for outstanding contributions to medicine, humanitarian service and community health care. Notable participants were Mr. Ali Azizi, former Director of Bank of Maharashtra; Padmashree Armida Fernandez; Sudeshna Ray, Additional Director of Obstetrics at Jaslok Hospital Consultant in Gynecology at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital; Hitesh Singhvi, consultant chief neck cancer surgeon at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre; Srinath Kshirsagar, hematologist; Sushen Bhatt, Consultant Surgeon Oncologist, Gold Medalist Criticare Asia Hospital and Research Centre; Adil Patel, faculty of MGM Medical College in Vashi; Justice Sayeed, former acting chairman of Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission.
Participants collectively emphasized that addressing the growing burden of anemia, cancer and other preventable diseases in India requires more than policy discussions. Governments, health care institutions, civil society organizations, academic institutions, international partners and citizens must work together to ensure that health care services are accessible, affordable and available to all.
Concluding the summit, Azizi reaffirmed HSCF’s commitment to advancing health care access, supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and promoting community-focused health care initiatives that improve the lives of vulnerable populations.
The Mumbai Health Summit 2026 concluded with a strong call for collective action and practical implementation to ensure that no one is left behind in accessing quality health care.
