New Delhi, May 20 (IANS). Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Wednesday reiterated India’s strong commitment to advance the global agenda related to the health of women, children and adolescents, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that in a bilateral meeting with Helen Clark, Board Chair of Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) during the 79th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland, JP Nadda said that India has been associated with PMNCH since its inception in 2005.
The Minister further said that India feels proud to continue this partnership and contribute meaningfully to its objectives.
Furthermore, Nadda also mentioned India’s active leadership role in PMNCH. He told that India is the Vice Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Standing Committee. He also informed that the process of giving a permanent grant amount of 20 lakh dollars every year is going on from India’s side.
Referring to India’s achievements in the public health sector, he said that India has been a center of innovation and delivery of health services on a large scale. India has placed the health of women, children and adolescents at the center of its service delivery systems and sustainable development efforts, with equity and access in mind.
He said India was among the first countries to launch a special national program for adolescents in 2014. Under this, youth across the country were reached at health centers, schools and community level.
Referring to improvements in key health indicators, Nadda said India has recorded a significant decline in maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR), and this improvement has happened at a faster pace than the global average.
The Minister said that India has evidence-based best health models and successful public health programs implemented on a large scale, which can be shared with other countries of the world. He also expressed his desire to provide technical guidance and cooperation to other countries.
He invited PMNCH to present India’s successful models and innovations to the world through physical and digital platforms.
Reiterating India’s commitment as PMNCH Vice-President, Nadda said India stands ready to support the organization on issues such as women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health and rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He also mentioned India’s commitment to a growing stock of technological resources and digital public health facilities that can be shared globally.
At the same time, Helen Clark praised India’s continued leadership and contribution in the global public health sector. He also acknowledged the important role of India in PMNCH and the global health system.
–IANS
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