New Delhi, September 3rd, 2026: With dengue continuing to pose one of India’s most significant public health challenges, Fortis Healthcare and Takeda today announced the launch of ‘Mission Dengue Free India’, a nationwide disease awareness campaign aimed at strengthening community awareness, promoting preventive health behaviours and encouraging early recognition of dengue symptoms.
According to the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC), more than 1.13 lakh dengue cases were officially reported across India in 2025. However, experts believe the actual burden is likely to be higher, as many patients may not seek care at medical facilities. India continues to account for nearly one-third of the global dengue burden, with seasonal outbreaks placing immense pressure on healthcare systems during the monsoon months. While advances have been made in diagnosis and treatment, awareness around prevention, early symptom recognition and timely medical intervention remains inconsistent.
Recognising the need to move beyond treatment towards prevention, Fortis Healthcare and Takeda India have come together to drive a large-scale, evidence-based public awareness initiative that empowers individuals and communities with credible scientific information on dengue prevention and management.
The campaign brings together Fortis Healthcare’s extensive clinical expertise and nationwide hospital network with Takeda’s global scientific expertise in dengue prevention and public health education, creating a collaborative platform focused on improving health literacy and strengthening community preparedness.
As part of the campaign, Fortis Healthcare and Takeda India will roll out a series of physician-led awareness initiatives across selected Fortis hospitals and communities. These will include educational sessions for Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), schools, colleges and corporates, expert-led public talks, doctor-authored articles, digital awareness campaigns, educational video podcasts, social media initiatives, hospital-based awareness programmes during the dengue season and dedicated digital resources. These initiatives will help individuals recognise symptoms early, adopt preventive measures and seek timely medical care.
The campaign is designed to support the World Health Organization’s integrated approach to dengue prevention, which combines community education, vector control, timely diagnosis, appropriate case management and, where relevant and consistent with applicable national recommendations, vaccination to reduce the burden of the disease.
Anil Vinayak, Group COO, Fortis Healthcare, said, “At Fortis Healthcare, we believe our responsibility extends beyond treating illness to empowering communities with the knowledge they need to stay healthy. Dengue remains a significant public health concern in India, but greater awareness and timely action can help reduce the risk of infection and serious illness. Through ‘Mission Dengue Free India’, an initiative in collaboration with Takeda, we aim to equip individuals and families with credible, evidence-based information that promotes preventive practices, early recognition of symptoms and timely medical care. Such collaborations can broaden the reach of public health education, encourage community participation and support sustained dengue-prevention efforts.”
Ted Kim, Country Head – India, Takeda Biopharmaceuticals, said, “At Takeda, we believe tackling dengue requires collective action across all sectors. Building on our global experience in dengue prevention and public health educationand Fortis Healthcare’s trusted clinical leadership, we aim to strengthen disease awareness, encourage preventive behaviours, and support India’s efforts to reduce the burden of dengue through education, preparedness and collaboration.”
The collaboration has been facilitated with the support of Mitsui & Co., which played an instrumental role in bringing together Fortis Healthcare and Takeda India. The partnership reflects a shared vision of fostering innovative collaborations that contribute to improved public health outcomes through education and community engagement.
As India continues to witness recurring dengue outbreaks, both organisations believe hospitals have a critical role to play beyond clinical care by strengthening public awareness, improving health literacy, and supporting preventive healthcare. ‘Mission Dengue Free India’ represents an important step towards building better-informed communities and enhancing preparedness against dengue through sustained, collaborative action.
