The EMBED (Elimination of Mosquito-Borne Endemic Diseases) initiative, a multi-state program aimed at reducing malaria and dengue, has completed ten years of operations. A commemorative event was held in Pune with government officials, health experts, and representatives from Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), which supports the program’s implementation.
To strengthen its next phase, the program launched two new tech-based platforms — the Community Health Volunteer App and the Supply Chain App. These tools are designed to boost surveillance and streamline the distribution of medicines and diagnostic kits. The Community Health Volunteer App enables ASHA workers and volunteers to collect field data digitally with real-time dashboards and geo-tracking, while the Supply Chain App digitizes inventory management to prevent delays and shortages at the village and district levels.
Launched in 2015 with Family Health India and the Center for Health Research and Innovation, EMBED has expanded across 32 districts, reaching 27 lakh households in 8,000 slums and 14,000 villages. It has benefited more than 28 million people, mainly from underserved communities in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Maharashtra formally adopted the program in 2023. In urban regions such as Thane, Palghar, and Mumbai, EMBED operates in 1,536 slums, covering 2.8 lakh households and 13.6 lakh residents, with support from 110 trained ASHA workers. The program focuses on dengue-prone pockets, emphasizing awareness and community engagement.
In rural districts — Gadchiroli, Gondia, and Chandrapur — EMBED reaches 1,502 villages, 2.03 lakh households, and a population of 10 lakh, working closely with 325 ASHA workers. Activities include educating communities on symptoms, prevention, and eliminating mosquito breeding sites, along with promoting timely diagnosis and full treatment.
“Over the past 10 years, our CSR efforts through EMBED have brought visible change,” said Sudhir Sitapati, MD & CEO, GCPL. “The commitment of ASHA workers, health teams, and community volunteers has been central to this impact.”
GCPL noted that EMBED aligns with the company’s Good & Green philosophy and has strengthened state-level public health systems. The program is being positioned as a scalable model for states working toward India’s goal of eliminating malaria by 2030.
