India, in collaboration with Norway, UNICEF, UNFPA, and PMNCH, organized a side event in Geneva focusing on the health and wellbeing of women, children, and adolescents. Held during the 77th World Health Assembly, the event underscored India’s dedication to proactive measures in addressing the health needs of these demographic groups. Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary, led the Indian delegation, highlighting the progress and initiatives undertaken by India in this domain.
The event aimed to share emerging evidence and insights, fostering discussions on crucial opportunities for investing in maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health. It advocated for sustained and increased investment, prompting policy adjustments across various sectors while prioritizing the diverse needs of different population segments.
Speakers addressed various aspects of adolescent health, stressing the imperative to allocate more resources to this area. Notable officials from the Union Health Ministry, including Hekali Zhimomi and Aradhana Patnaik, were present, underscoring India’s commitment to initiatives like Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) – I, RCH – II, and the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram.
The rollout of TeleManas, a significant initiative by India, was highlighted during the event. Additionally, the importance of effective communication strategies targeted at adolescents and the involvement of youth representatives in program planning and implementation were discussed as crucial aspects moving forward.
