Star Health Arogya Seva Kendra Clinics: Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited has reported nearly 1.56 lakh beneficiary visits at its Arogya Seva Kendra (ASK) Clinics within the first year of the initiative, expanding access to free primary healthcare across nine Indian states. Launched under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme in partnership with Piramal Foundation’s Piramal Swasthya, the initiative operates 32 clinics offering free doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, medicines and health counselling.
The programme aims to improve access to healthcare in underserved communities, particularly for people who may struggle to afford regular consultations and treatment for chronic conditions. According to the company, each clinic serves an average of around 30 people daily, highlighting the demand for accessible healthcare services close to home.
Star Health’s Free Healthcare Clinics Operate Across 9 States
The 32 Arogya Seva Kendra Clinics are operational in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra.
The clinics have been established in districts where lifestyle-related diseases pose a significant public health challenge. The company’s release notes that hypertension prevalence among adults in these areas ranges from 20% to 40%, while diabetes prevalence reaches nearly 29% in some locations.
Each clinic provides consultations with MBBS doctors, diagnostic tests, medicines for common illnesses and chronic conditions, and health counselling, all free of cost. Star Health funds the capital and operational expenditure under its CSR allocation, while Piramal Swasthya manages implementation, staffing and clinical governance.
Star Health Arogya Seva Kendra Clinics: Over 71,000 People Screened for Diabetes
Early detection and ongoing management of diabetes and hypertension are among the programme’s key priorities. These conditions can remain undiagnosed for long periods, increasing the risk of complications if treatment is delayed.
The clinics have screened more than 71,000 beneficiaries for diabetes and nearly one lakh for hypertension. They have also conducted around 1.64 lakh laboratory tests for more than 77,000 beneficiaries, helping doctors make informed treatment decisions.
In addition, the clinics have dispensed free medicines on approximately 1.42 lakh occasions. Lifestyle diseases account for nearly 33% of detections across consultations and tests conducted at the centres, according to the company. The programme has also extended its preventive healthcare services through adult pneumococcal vaccination, with more than 3,600 vaccinations administered. Pfizer has supported this component with its knowledge and expertise.
Repeat Visits Highlight the Need for Continued Care
More than 55% of beneficiaries have returned to the clinics for repeat visits. This continuity enables doctors to monitor patients over time, assess their response to treatment and provide ongoing guidance rather than limiting care to a single consultation.
The clinics have also identified anaemia cases, with the condition found to be more prevalent among women than men. Most detected cases were in the mild-to-moderate range, and affected beneficiaries received appropriate treatment at the centres. Beyond clinical services, the initiative focuses on health awareness and prevention. The clinics have conducted 292 awareness sessions attended by more than 16,500 participants. Topics include hygiene, preventive healthcare and the importance of detecting medical conditions at an early stage.
Star Health Plans to Expand Network to 50-Plus Clinics
Commenting on the initiative, Anand Roy, Managing Director and CEO of Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited, said access to doctors, diagnostic tests and medicines should not depend on a family’s ability to pay. He said the company aims to bring primary healthcare closer to communities and help people identify and manage conditions such as diabetes and hypertension early. Roy added that Star Health plans to build on the programme’s progress and expand the network to 50 clinics, reiterating the company’s commitment to reaching one million lives through the initiative.
Ajay Piramal, Chairman of Piramal Foundation, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening systems that serve communities in need. He described the first-year results as an encouraging beginning and said the organisations look forward to extending the programme’s reach.
Star Health plans to expand the Arogya Seva Kendra network to more than 50 clinics across 20-plus cities and towns in over 15 states by the end of FY27. The company is also considering phased extensions to clinic operating hours based on beneficiary feedback, alongside regular mobile community outreach programmes.
Free Treatment Helps Patients Manage Chronic Conditions
The impact of the programme is reflected in the experience of Prasad Sandhya, a 51-year-old reporter from Kallur in Andhra Pradesh who has lived with diabetes for 15 years.
As the sole earning member of his family, he found it increasingly difficult to manage the rising cost of medicines and continue treatment regularly. When he first visited an Arogya Seva Kendra Clinic in Kurnool, his random blood sugar reading was around 350 mg/dL.
He subsequently received free doctor consultations, medicines and regular counselling from doctors and nurses on medication adherence, diet and lifestyle changes. With continued treatment and guidance, his random blood sugar reading fell to 165 mg/dL, according to the company.
Sandhya said access to free laboratory tests, consultations and medicines had made a significant difference to his life by reducing the financial pressure of managing diabetes. He now encourages neighbours and colleagues to visit the clinic for regular health check-ups. The initiative illustrates how community-based primary healthcare can support early diagnosis, treatment continuity and preventive awareness, particularly among people facing financial barriers to accessing medical services.
