The Transformation Tracker

  Rajeev Sadanandan (CEO, HSTP) writes The Tata Trusts have been working on reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India in partnership with Dell Technologies and the Government of India through its NCD portal. We are happy to share that the Tata Trusts have collaborated with the Health System Transformation Platform (HSTP) for the management of the NCD portal. This is a significant step forward for HSTP in its mission to impact the healthcare ecosystem of our country positively. Nearly 65% of all deaths and a corresponding level of morbidity in India are due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). WHO estimates suggest that every year around 5.8 million people die from NCDs (CVD, lung diseases, cancer, and diabetes) and that every 1 in 4 Indians has a risk of dying from NCD before reaching the age of 70 years.  The cornerstone of the Government of India’s (GoI) National Programme for Non-Communicable Diseases is the screening of the population estimated to be at risk

  At HSTP, our Health Assurance approach primarily centres around advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The goal is to improve accessibility and affordability to healthcare services by strengthening state financial protection schemes for individuals and families. Recently, the Health Assurance team has made significant strides in our efforts to promote equity and improve the efficiency of the state health protection schemes. The team spearheads the discussion on the roadmap towards achieving UHC by 2030. Our efforts have yielded notable results, and we continue to pursue better healthcare outcomes for all. Impact of Gender Equity in State Financial Protection Scheme in Odisha We collaborated with the Government of Odisha, represented by the Department of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW) and the State Health Assurance Society (SHAS), to document Odisha's transformative journey towards universal health and gender equity. This initiative is a collective effort of a team

  The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India is observing the ‘National Road Safety Month’ from 15 January to 14 February 2024. In the light of this, let’s look at the Emergency Care Systems (ECS) through the lens of Road Safety.   The ECS is a lifeline that delivers timely healthcare services for acute illnesses and injuries across all age groups. The essential functions of an integrated ECS include human resources, equipment, and technology that extend from initial care at the scene, during transportation, and at healthcare facilities, as per the WHO Emergency Care System framework.  The 72nd World Health Assembly deliberates upon the integrated ECS for universal health coverage, ensuring timely care for the acutely ill and injured including linkages with other relevant actors, and aligning with Sustainable Development Goal Target 3.6 to reduce global deaths and injuries from road accidents by 50% by 2030. An organised and integrated emergency care syste

  Media plays an essential role in mainstreaming the discourse on health systems and making it a social and political priority beyond times of crisis. Whether it is disseminating health information, promoting the importance of hand hygiene, maintaining social distancing during disease outbreaks, or taking personal measures for the prevention of non-communicable diseases, media is always critical.  In March 2022, HSTP organized a webinar with journalists about their experiences and challenges in covering aspects of the Indian health system. In the webinar, the participants drew attention to issues that restrict reporting on health systems in the Indian media, ways to incentivize public health journalism through awards and recognition, and the need to introduce fellowship programs to support young journalists. Opportunities like journalism fellowships that may enable an ecosystem of information exchange between the stakeholders working towards better health outcomes were also emphasized.

With the aim to build the capacity of researchers and practitioners to develop and implement HPSR, HSTP has taken on the role of creating a community of Health Policy and System Researchers in India.  Our flagship initiative, the India Health Policy & Systems Research Fellowship program was launched in January 2021. This initiative of HSTP aims to enhance the capacity of mid-career public health professionals in health policy and systems research (HPSR) methods to strengthen evidence-based policymaking in health. Organised in collaboration with a global network of eminent partners, the fellowship envisages to identify twenty fellows each year. Each cohort is trained in HPSR methods through a blended training program that includes practical experience of conducting an HPSR study. For instance, the second cohort selected in year 2022 took to study topics ranging from Multimorbidity Management in PHCs, Digital Technology for Health Service Delivery, Systemic Complexities in Non-Commun

  To strengthen the healthcare quality, accessibility, and availability across the country, HSTP works to build the capacities of the health workforce and enhance the quality of policies concerning it. By focusing on bolstering the competency of Frontline Workers (FLWs), HSTP is dedicated to elevating the skills and expertise of vital healthcare providers, aimed at delivering effective and high-quality care. It is also committed to nurturing leadership qualities among health managers, empowering them to catalyse positive transformations within the healthcare system. Strengthening HRH policies is another integral part of the system since issues such as forecasting, deployment, career progression, compensation, and retention of health workers continue to pose significant hurdles within the Indian healthcare system.  Leadership Development Program for Officials in the State Health Department The Indian healthcare landscape is rapidly changing, and this warrants effective leadership and pr