Reckitt, a global consumer health and hygiene company, has partnered with PATH, a global nonprofit organisation, and the Centre for Health Research and Innovation (CHRI) to launch the Dettol Banega Swasth India – Maternal and Child Health Tech Accelerator.
The accelerator aims to support India’s innovators in creating solutions for maternal and child healthcare, with a focus on early interventions during the first 1,000 days of life. It seeks to empower mothers, caregivers, frontline health workers, and health systems, while strengthening public health infrastructure across 500 aspirational blocks in India.
Aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, the government has implemented initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses from 63 per cent to 39 per cent. Schemes like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, eSanjeevani Telemedicine Service, Tele-MANAS, and U-WIN are leveraging technology to enhance healthcare delivery. The Universal Immunisation Program reaches 2.6 crore infants and 2.9 crore new mothers annually, ensuring no eligible individual is left out. Complementary programmes include Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, the doubling of medical colleges, and MedTech Mitra, all contributing to a stronger grassroots health ecosystem.
Gaurav Jain, Executive Vice President – South Asia, Reckitt, said, “At Reckitt, our purpose is to protect, heal, and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world that aligns closely with the Government of India’s vision to ensure every citizen has access to quality and affordable healthcare. We believe that access to the highest standards of hygiene should be a right, not a privilege. Through the Dettol Banega Swasth India – Maternal and Child Health Tech Accelerator, in partnership with PATH-CHRI, we aim to bridge the gap between innovation and impact. This initiative is about transforming bold ideas into scalable, real-world solutions that reach the last mile, strengthening systems, improving lives, and supporting India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat @2047. Together, our success will continue to positively impact communities, building an ecosystem where health and hygiene are universally accessible.”
Neeraj Jain, Director, Growth Operations – Asia, Middle East and Europe, PATH, said, “At PATH-CHRI, we believe that innovation and collaboration are the twin engines that drive public health impact. We are proud to partner with Reckitt for the Dettol Banega Swasth India – Maternal and Child Health Tech Accelerator, an important step toward reimagining how we deliver on the promise of the first 1000 days of life. This initiative aims to identify, nurture, and scale homegrown solutions that address long-standing gaps in maternal and child health. By bridging innovators with public health systems, we are not only supporting bold ideas but also shaping a future where every child in India has an equal chance to survive and thrive.”
The accelerator will invite innovators with product-ready solutions (TRL 9) to participate. Shortlisted candidates will present their solutions at a pitch event on 15th and 16th September to a jury including public health leaders, policy experts, and grassroots changemakers. The top five solutions will be awarded on 2nd October during the launch of Dettol Banega Swasth India Season 12 and implemented in partnership with Plan India to support maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in underserved communities.
The initiative is structured around the National Health Mission’s RMNCH+A strategy — Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health — which integrates services across reproductive health, maternal care, child development, adolescent wellbeing, nutrition, and hygiene, ensuring continuous care from adolescence through motherhood and childhood. By connecting innovation with this framework, the accelerator aims to address gaps and accelerate India’s progress toward a resilient healthcare ecosystem.