Coordination among ministries, stakeholders important for improving health indicators: Nadda

Emphasising on the importance of coordination among ministries, states and stakeholders for improving health indicators of women, children and adolescents, Union Health Minister J P Nadda today said his ministry has stepped up efforts to achieve the target of 90 per cent full immunisation in the country.

At the curtain raiser event for the 2018 Partners' Forum, he said for providing comprehensive primary care, the government has initiated universal screening of common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes and hypertension, at primary health centres and sub-centres.

The 2018 Partners' Forum will be held here on December 12 and 13 and will provide a platform for learning and exchange for alliance of 1,000 organisations to align objectives, strategies and resources, and agree on interventions to improve maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health.

"Convergence between ministries, states and stakeholders is critical for achieving shared goals for health of women, children and adolescents," Nadda said.

Highlighting the achievements of his ministry, he said, "We have launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI). The special drive will focus on improving immunisation to more than 90 per cent by December this year."
The government has initiated universal screening of common NCDs, such as diabetes and hypertension at primary health centres and sub-centres, he said, adding, "This will strengthen preventive and promotive health, improve patient referral and access to secondary care services."