The Transformation Tracker

  In the context of accelerated change in the Indian health system, Ayushman Bharat and the post-COVID-19 scenario emphasize that strong leadership and team management are essential for the successful implementation of health programs, particularly at the state level.   Health Systems Transformation Platform (HSTP) recognized the need and proposed a groundbreaking Leadership Development program tailored to district-level managers in Odisha. By equipping primary healthcare facility managers with management training and supportive supervision, the program seeks to enhance skills and decision-making autonomy, ultimately improving health outcomes. Leveraging the expertise of Athulya Performance CIP, renowned for implementing their leadership program 'Causing Incredible Performance' (CIP) across various non-government and government departments other than health, HSTP collaborated with Athulya to adapt CIP to the health context for implementation in Odisha. The program focuses on n

  Recently, The Hindu published an article titled " Eliminating Diseases, One Region at a Time ," authored by Mr. Rajeev Sadanandan, Chief Executive Officer, Health Systems Transformation Platform. This article served as a wake-up call, highlighting the necessity of robust surveillance systems, investment in infrastructure, workforce training, and capable of identifying every occurrence of diseases. It emphasized the importance of continued vigilance even after elimination to prevent the re-emergence of diseases. The article underscores the remarkable progress in disease elimination, notably the imminent eradication of guinea worm disease. It elaborates on the strides made towards disease elimination, particularly in combating guinea worm disease, stressing the necessity of a methodical approach, robust surveillance, and regional tactics to accomplish this objective. Emphasizing the distinction between elimination and eradication, it clarifies that elimination aims to halt

Women worldwide face significant challenges in accessing healthcare for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with two out of every three women succumbing to NCDs annually, resulting in up to 19 million deaths yearly. In India, Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) contribute to 60%of all deaths. The four major causes of NCD deaths are Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, and Hypertension (45%), Chronic respiratory disease (22%), Cancers (12 %), and Diabetes (3%) 1 . A 2012 study examining the health status of elderly women in rural India showed that hypertension is the most common NCD (78 percent of respondents were reported to have the disease), followed by osteoarthritis (73 percent), diabetes (66 percent), and bronchial asthma (77 percent) 2 . The prevalence of NCDs among women is 62 per 1,000, as compared to 36 per 1,000 men. Hypertension, depression, gastrointestinal illness, and diabetes are the most common NCD morbidities in the country. These staggering statistics underscore the urgent ne

  The India Health Policy & Systems Research (HPSR) postgraduate fellowship program, launched by HSTP in 2021, stands as an award-winning flagship initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. This groundbreaking program aims to empower early to mid-career researchers and practitioners in health policy and systems research, fostering a critical mass of experts across key institutions in India. From its inception, the program has prioritized inclusivity, ensuring gender balance and regional diversity among its recipients. Notably, 12 out of the first 20 fellows were women, showcasing the program's commitment to equity. Over the years, the program has seen equal representation from both genders, embodying its principle of inclusivity. With fellows hailing from 22 states and union territories, deliberate efforts to promote diversity have enriched the learning experience and contributed to the program's success in fostering a more representative research community. Moving forward, t

  India is witnessing a significant demographic shift with a burgeoning population of older adults. Projections suggest that the number of elderly individuals in India will more than double from 100 million in 2011 to 230 million by 2036, constituting nearly 15% of the total population, with around 120 million being women. This demographic transition calls for a pressing concern for healthcare solutions tailored to the specific needs of older individuals, particularly considering that women in India typically outlive men by three years. Effective policies, programs, and services must be devised to address the distinct healthcare requirements of this growing demographic, ensuring that older women can maintain respectable and independent lives. In response to this demographic shift, research-driven inclusive strategies for elderly well-being should be integrated into public health policies. Home healthcare emerges as a pivotal strategy in this regard. Through a study conducted by Tea

The theme for the 51st Annual National Conference of Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine – IAPSMCON 2024 organised by the Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, was “Transformations for achieving SDGs: Innovate, Integrate, Implement.” Speaking on “Health System Strengthening for Universal Health Coverage (UHC)- Need of the Hour” on February 9, 2024, Dr Sudha Chandrashekhar (Advisor, HSTP) shared key insights on how Health System Strengthening (HSS) impacts achieving UHC: Role of HSS in UHC: Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) is vital for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It involves purposeful efforts to enhance the performance of healthcare systems, aligning with the objectives of national health policies. HSS ensures quality, equity, efficiency, accountability, resilience, and sustainability in healthcare delivery. Challenges to Government: Disease-oriented funding with limited coordination among partners and poor a