Such an initiative demonstrates the potential long-term value created by acting as a force multiplier to alleviate some problems in the last-mile delivery of public health delivery systems. This low-hanging fruit can be for crucial issues like promoting birth control, reducing child mortality by better anti-natal care, encouraging preventive health care, containing the spread of infectious diseases, and promoting better health-seeking behavior.

However, for initiatives like this to be sustainable, they need to be structured more effectively at the national level. The recently-issued ‘Telemedicine Guidelines 2020’ is a good step in this direction.

Further, on August 24, 2020, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued the Companies (CSR Policy) Amendment Rules, 2020. It amended Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013. Before this amendment, activities undertaken by a company (even if such activities are in areas and subjects listed in Schedule VII) in pursuance of its ordinary course of business were excluded from the ambit of definition of ‘CSR Policy.’ However, CSR rules provide an exception to the rule described above for companies engaged in R&D of a new vaccine, drugs, and medical devices in their regular course of business.

According to the CSR Rules, the companies working on the research and development (R&D) of a new vaccine, drugs, and medical devices are allowed to do COVID-19-related R&D for financial years 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 only if such activities are done in collaboration with organizations mentioned in item (ix) of Schedule VII to the Act. These rules and amendments aim to align with various other measures taken by the Government towards combating COVID-19 and boost businesses’ contribution to aid India’s fight against COVID-19. 

However, one crucial point that seems to be overlooked is to align CSR initiatives with Telemedicine initiatives. This aspect has not been stated explicitly in Schedule 7, Telemedicine Guidelines, or even in the Companies (CSR Policy) Amendment Rules, 2020. While there have been some companies undertaking and promoting telemedicine ventures as part of their CSR initiatives, these efforts are few due to the lack of clarity on the subject. 

Including Telemedicine in Schedule 7 of the Companies Act can go a long way in drawing corporate interest to this useful tool in India’s COVID-19 response toolkit. It will also act as a shot in the arm by effectively mobilizing managerial, entrepreneurial, motivational, and financial resources in this need of the hour.