New Delhi, June 29 (IBNS) Paving the way for a strategic partnership aimed at unleashing the role of India in the global health scene with the continued pursuit of health improvement in the country, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday launched World Health Organization's (WHO) new Country Cooperation Strategy with India (2012-17).
Speaking on the occasion, Azad said, “In the context of the opportunities and challenges that we face, the well being of Indian citizens will depend on a number of strategic choices related to health and equity, that must be made in the next few years. Not only our health, but our children’s health too depends on these strategic choices and the collaborations between the critical constituents of our health system.”
Azad congratulated both the ministry officials and WHO’s entire team led by Dr Nata Menabde, who were behind the development of the document and exhorted upon all concerned to work towards realization of the objectives set out in this document.
“We are sure that implementing the strategy will make India healthier and more equitable,” he added.
Reflecting the shared vision of the two partners, it is for the first time that the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) has been developed jointly by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India and the WHO Country Office for India (WCO).
To contribute meaningfully to the national health policy and government’s health agenda, the CCS has identified three strategic priorities and the key focus areas under each priority:
Supporting an improved role of the Government of India in global health
International Health Regulations: Ensuring the implementation of International Health Regulations and similar commitments
Pharmaceuticals: Strengthening the pharmaceutical sector including drug regulatory capacity and, trade and health
Stewardship: Improving the stewardship capacity of the entire Indian health system
Promoting access to and utilization of affordable, efficiently networked and sustainable quality services by the entire population
Financial Protection: Providing universal health service coverage so that every individual would achieve health gain from a health intervention when needed
Quality: Properly accrediting service delivery institutions (primary health care facilities and hospitals) to deliver the agreed service package
Helping to confront the new epidemiological reality of India
Health of Mothers and Children: Scaling up reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services
Combined Morbidity: Addressing increased combinations of communicable and non-communicable diseases
Transitioning Services: Gradual, phased “transfer strategy” of WHO services to the national, state and local authorities without erosion of effectiveness during the transition period
Outlining the strategic framework, Secretary, MoHFW P K Pradhan said, “We hope this strategy will facilitate joint action with the stakeholders concerned – national as well as international, public and private – for improving health and equity in India while fostering our contribution to global health. We see the CCS as a guide for partnership, planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.”
In her message, Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, WHO said, “This Country Cooperation Strategy is our contribution towards health progress in this extraordinary country. We are convinced, India will continue improving the health of its people and this will have a global impact.”
Incorporating valuable recommendations of key stakeholders, the CCS balances country priorities with WHO’s strategic orientation of contributing optimally to national health development.
Elaborating on the theme, Dr Nata Menabde, WHO Representative to India, said, “In the CCS we have agreed on a number of inter-sectoral actions on the broad determinants of health as well as necessary health system reforms for providing better services to individuals and communities, and jointly achieving greater health impact.”
“Closely aligned to ongoing WHO reforms globally, this new CCS will also mark a transition on how WHO plans, works, organizes itself and delivers measurable results towards ensuring better health for all Indians in collaboration with the Government and other partners,” she added.
The CCS will be implemented on the basis of two-year Action Plans developed by the WCO in consultation with the MoHFW taking due consideration of the health priorities envisaged by the 12th Five Year Plan.
