Rajat Khosla, Executive Director of PMNCH (Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health), highlighted in a recent interview how India can help developing countries design successful health initiatives. He emphasized that other nations might learn a lot from India’s extensive experience in addressing issues related to maternal, child, and adolescent health.
Maternal mortality rates (MMR) fell from 384 in 2000 to 97 in 2020 in India, indicating substantial progress in this area. In comparison, the global MMR dropped from 339 to 223 in the same time frame. Khosla credited the successful implementation of multisectoral policies like the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), an extensive health program for adolescents, and the coordinated efforts of health professionals for this achievement.
As a well-known leader of the Global South, India is well-positioned to share best practices for enhancing health outcomes, as noted by Khosla. He pointed out that the National Health Mission, the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and community health initiatives like the ASHA initiative have all played a significant role in India’s development. These initiatives offer priceless lessons in community involvement, policy creation, and sustainable health interventions that can help other developing countries.
India has accomplished great progress in spite of enormous obstacles that are comparable to those faced by other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Khosla stressed that other countries might benefit greatly from India’s expertise in addressing these issues. India can assist other developing nations in creating efficient health systems that serve a variety of demographics by sharing its strategies.
Khosla also emphasized the larger picture of global health, pointing out that imbalances both between and within nations are being exacerbated by many problems such as conflict, climate change, and rising living expenses. These issues mostly impact the most impoverished populations and unstable states, which are disproportionately affected by avoidable fatalities among women, children, and teenagers. Despite these obstacles, India’s progress highlights the significance of inclusive and comprehensive health services.
The Indian government and the Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) have a long history together. India has played a pivotal role in PMNCH’s evolution into a worldwide coalition. One of the major turning points in this collaboration was the ‘Delhi Declaration’ of 2005, a historic document that outlined PMNCH’s vision and objectives. Furthermore, India’s support for global health programs is demonstrated by its adoption of the ‘Adolescents and the Adolescent Well-being Framework’ with 29 other global champions.
Priorities for PMNCH as it nears its 20th anniversary are increasing political lobbying, pushing forward with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and raising funds for the well-being of mothers, newborns, children, and adolescents. Khosla’s remarks highlight India’s crucial position in these international health initiatives and its capacity to set the example for other developing countries in terms of enhancing health outcomes.
SOURCE:
MEDICAL DIALOGUES
