Raipur
In a significant move to strengthen healthcare services and align them with global standards, the Chhattisgarh Health Department has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU/MoA) with five national and international organisations. This initiative, guided by Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, aims to develop a robust, inclusive, and internationally compliant healthcare system in the state.
The signing ceremony, held at Mahanadi Bhawan in Nava Raipur, saw the Department of Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Education formalising shared responsibilities and goals with various partner organisations.
Amit Katariya, Secretary, Public Health; Dr. Priyanka Shukla, Commissioner-cum-Director; Dr. S.K. Pambhoi, Director, Epidemic Control; nodal officers, deputy directors of relevant health programmes, and representatives from all partner organisations attended the event.
The state government launched the “Chhattisgarh Saathi” initiative to continuously improve health indicators and effectively implement schemes and projects. A high-level committee has been formed to ensure its smooth operation, aiming to coordinate diverse national and international partner organisations working in the health sector. This committee provides an institutional platform for partners to present their expertise, experience, and technical suggestions directly to the department.
This partnership seeks to ensure structural improvements, technical upgrades, public participation, and widespread access to healthcare services in the state.
The following five major organisations have partnered through this historic agreement:
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur
- Centre for Catalyzing Change (C3)
- BVHA
- Evidence Action
In addition, detailed discussions were held on the annual action plans of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
Each organisation will work in coordination with the state government in their specific areas:
- AIIMS Raipur: To improve maternal and child health services
- UNICEF: To provide technical assistance for nutrition, child health, and maternal protection
- WHO: To strengthen the overall health system, disease prevention, and surveillance
- UNDP: To offer technical and strategic support for immunisation programmes
- Evidence Action: To enhance child health and deworming campaigns
- C3 (Centre for Catalyzing Change): To support adolescent health and awareness
- BVHA: To implement special health interventions for targeted communities
- NIMHANS: To guide mental health services expansion and strengthening
These organisations will collectively partner with the state government to develop an integrated and sustainable framework for multi-dimensional health reforms in Chhattisgarh.
During the event, officials highlighted that the Chhattisgarh government is making multi-layered efforts to realise the concept of “Healthy Chhattisgarh”, and the cooperation of these organisations will set a new direction for the state.
This agreement will:
- Facilitate access to healthcare facilities in remote areas
- Improve human resources and technical capacity
- Reduce maternal and child mortality rates
- Strengthen the digital health system
- Bring transparency and effectiveness to healthcare services
The government and partner organisations expressed confidence that this collective initiative will help Chhattisgarh become a leading state in national health standards and lay the foundation for a strong, accessible, and responsive healthcare system.
