By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : July 09, 2026 5:36 pm
Project strengthens patient navigation through treatment guidance, counselling and access to government welfare schemes for people living with cancer and rare diseases
Pfizer has announced that Project AASTHA, its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative implemented in partnership with Doctors for You (DFY), has supported more than 10 lakh patients and caregiversacross India since its launch in 2022.
The programme helps patients navigate the healthcare system, access government welfare schemes, receive counselling, and connect with support services throughout their treatment journey.
The milestone was marked at AASTHA CareConnect 2026 in Bengaluru, which brought together government officials, healthcare leaders, clinicians, policymakers, patient advocates, and development partners to discuss strengthening patient navigation and improving equitable access to healthcare.
Since inception, the initiative has supported over 9.25 lakh people living with cancer and 75,000 people with rare diseases, established 15 Cancer Centres of Excellence and five Rare Disease Centres of Excellence, facilitated financial assistance for more than 29,000 beneficiaries, enabled treatment support for over 33,000 patients, and provided specialised support to nearly 8,000 children, including those with genetic and rare diseases.
In Karnataka alone, the programme has supported more than 59,000 patients, facilitated over 38,000 applications for government healthcare funding, and enabled treatment support for over 33,000 patients.
Meenakshi Nevatia, Country President, Pfizer India, said, “Project AASTHA is a testament to how timely guidance, counselling and non-medical support can help patients and caregivers navigate a complex treatment journey with confidence and dignity, and I am grateful that we have been able to support more than 10 lakh patients and caregivers in need.”
Dr. Rajat Jain, President, Doctors for You, said, “We are honoured to hold the AASTHA CareConnect 2026 Forum with Pfizer to celebrate the progress made through Project AASTHA and to collectively shape the next phase of patient navigation in India. Patients and families often need support beyond clinical care, from understanding hospital processes and accessing government schemes to receiving emotional reassurance during treatment.”