New Delhi, July 11: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has initiated a monthly webinar series under the National Health Mission (NHM) to strengthen public health systems and promote new innovations in the health sector. This initiative was launched in conjunction with World Population Day 2026, aiming to share successful health innovations among states and union territories and explore opportunities for nationwide implementation.
According to the health ministry, this year-long knowledge-sharing platform will bring together states and union territories, allowing them to share their successful health programs, locally developed solutions, and their impacts. The goal is to promote evidence-based methods that can enhance the quality and accessibility of health services across various sectors.
The inaugural webinar was chaired by Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of NHM. She emphasized that innovation is the foundation of a fast, effective, and robust public health system. Patnaik described this initiative as a vital institutional medium for identifying, documenting, and disseminating new ideas emerging from states and union territories.
She noted that often, state and district teams are so engrossed in implementing health programs that their best innovations do not receive widespread recognition. To bridge this gap, the ministry has taken steps to highlight these efforts and share them on a national level.
Patnaik urged states and union territories to share new ideas and local solutions that can address emerging public health challenges beyond existing health programs. The National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) will provide technical support for documenting and presenting these innovations.
The first webinar focused on “Anemia, Health of Children and Adolescents.” It showcased innovative health models from three states that have demonstrated effective results in addressing local health challenges.
Jharkhand presented the “Anemia Free India T4 App” and the “Integrated Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) – Home-Based Young Child Care (HBYC) Home Visit Initiative.” Chhattisgarh shared information about the “Chirayu Day” model under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK). Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh shared its special initiative to tackle the rising obesity problem among adolescents.
The ministry stated that these models reflect solutions tailored to local needs, which can also be adopted by other states. These initiatives have demonstrated better coordination with national health programs and the potential for large-scale implementation.
Over 500 officials from national, state, and district levels participated in the webinar. According to the ministry, this participation reflects the commitment of officials to develop a system based on mutual learning, collaboration, and innovation in the health sector.
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