New Delhi, May 20: In a recent official statement, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda reiterated India’s strong commitment to advancing the global agenda for women’s, children’s, and adolescent health. This declaration was made during a bilateral meeting with Helen Clark, Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), at the 79th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland.
Nadda emphasized that India has been associated with PMNCH since its inception in 2005. He expressed pride in continuing this partnership and contributing meaningfully to its objectives.
The minister highlighted India’s active leadership role within PMNCH, noting that India serves as the vice-chair of the board and the chair of the permanent committee. He also mentioned that India is committed to providing an annual grant of $200,000.
Discussing India’s achievements in public health, Nadda stated that the country has been a hub for innovation and large-scale health service delivery. He pointed out that India’s health service system and sustainable development efforts prioritize the health of women, children, and adolescents.
India was among the first countries to launch a dedicated national program for adolescents in 2014, which has facilitated access to health services for youth across health centers, schools, and community levels nationwide.
Nadda noted significant improvements in key health indicators, reporting a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR), with progress surpassing the global average.
He asserted that India possesses evidence-based best health models and successful public health programs that can be shared with other countries. Nadda expressed a willingness to provide technical guidance and collaboration to other nations.
He invited PMNCH to showcase India’s successful models and innovations on both physical and digital platforms.
Reiterating India’s commitment as a vice-chair of PMNCH, Nadda stated that India is ready to support the organization on issues related to women’s, children’s, and adolescent health, as well as the rising concerns of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He also highlighted India’s commitment to the growing repository of technical resources and digital public health facilities that can be shared globally.
Helen Clark praised India’s ongoing leadership and contributions in the global public health sector, acknowledging its significant role in PMNCH and the global health system.
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