Stakeholders Consultation Meeting on the Updated Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent’s Health

New Delhi, 26-27 February 2015 (Media Roundup as of 3:00PM, IST 5 March 2015)

Table of Contents

Opinion Editorial

Hindustan Times: When women thrive, the world thrives, C K Mishra and Amina Mohammed, 26 February 2015

Partner Blog

Huffington Post: Girls and Women Must be at the Center of the Global Development Agenda, Katja Iversen, 25 February 2015

Web-Chat

IBNLive: Prioritizing good health of every woman and every child, with Robin Gorna, 25 February 2015

News & Features (including national and regional)

Business Standard: India to hold global meet to chalk out vision for women health, 24 February 2014

The Health Site: India to host ‘Every Woman Every Child’ global meeting to improve healthcare, 25 February 2015

The Asian Age: UN meet on women, kids’ health on February 26, 25 February 2015

Zee News: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda, PTI, 26 February 2015

DNA: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Centre: JP Nadda, PTI, 26 February 2015

Business Standard: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda, PTI, 26 February 2015

Press Information Bureau: Mother, child and adolescent health high on Government agenda: Shri J P Nadda India hosts Global Stakeholder Consultation, 26 February 2015

Business Standard: Mother, child and adolescent health high on Government agenda: Shri J P Nadda India hosts Global Stakeholder Consultation, 26 February 2015

Outlook India: Women and Children's Health Pressing Agenda for Govt: Nadda, PTI, 26 February 2015

Niti Central: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Centre: JP Nadda, PTI, 26 February 2015

The Pioneer: Women, kids’ health a pressing agenda: Nadda, PTI, 26 February 2015

IANS: Nadda promises updated healthcare strategy, 26 February 2015

Business Standard: Nadda promises updated healthcare strategy, IANS, 26 February 2015

Odisha Diary: India hosts Global Stakeholder Consultation, 26 February 2015

Mizo News: Nadda promises updated healthcare strategy, IANS, 26 February 2015

Latest 360: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda, PTI, 26 February 2015

The Health Site: JP Nadda promises better healthcare policies for women, children and adolescents, 26 February 2015

Prajatantra Live: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda, 27 February 2015

Samyukta Karnataka: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda, 27 February 2015

Day and Night News: Mother, child and adolescent health high on Govt agenda: Nadda, 27 February 2015

Pharmabiz: India hosts expert consultation on global strategy for women, child and adolescents health, 27 February 2015

Hari Bhoomi: Women and children’s health are important issues, 27 February 2015

Punjab Kesari: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda, 28 February 2015

Vijay Vani: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda, 28 February 2015

Udaya Vani: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda, 28 February 2015

Praja Vani: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda, 28 February 2015

Sanje Vani: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda, 28 February 2015

Vartha Bharti: Health Consultation meet from today, 28 February 2015

Vidhuthalai: Women and Children Health Program held, 28 February 2015

Kannad Prabha: Consultation Meeting, 2 March 2015

Malai Malar: Women and Children’s Health Program Held, 2 March 2015

The Hindu: India turns spotlight on adolescent health, 5 March 2015

Hindustan Times: When women thrive, the world thrives C K Mishra and Amina Mohammed, 26 February 2015 This week India’s leadership will play a key role in defining the security of the world’s fundamental economic and social resource in the 21st century: Its demographic dividend. The government, in collaboration with Every Woman Every Child and support from the Partnership for Maternal Newborn & Child Health, will host over 100 global leaders to discuss the updating of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health and the transitioning of the Every Woman Every Child movement into the next development agenda. This updated global strategy will align with the new Sustainable Development Goals, the successors to the Millennium Development Goals, which will transition in 2015. The updated global strategy will also have a focus on adolescents, education and women’s empowerment. India faces challenges in this arena, being home to the largest share of maternal and child deaths globally. As such, discussing the updated Global Strategy here is as symbolic as it is vital in sharing lessons learnt to ensure success in the next stage. Outcomes from this meeting will help to drive the global agenda to end all preventable maternal, child and adolescent deaths.

In recent years, India has made great strides toward improving the health of its women and children. Since 1990, maternal mortality rates have come down by two-thirds and child mortality rates have halved. More girls and women than ever before have access to family planning and reproductive health services. In 2014, the government made reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent (RMNCH+A) services a central component of the National Health Mission’s mandate. This is a potential game-changer. The government also announced the introduction of new vaccines as part of the Universal Immunisation Programme. The landmark India Newborn Action Plan was released. For the first time, it laid out a roadmap for improving newborn health across the country. Most recently, India launched Mission Indradhanush, to improve immunisation coverage. Like the rest of the world, India can and will do more to deliver for its women and children. Already, the Every Woman Every Child movement is contributing a great deal to support countries in meeting the health MDGs in this final MDG year, while also helping countries to transition from the MDGs to the SDGs. Success has been underpinned by strong

commitment from global leaders at the highest levels, partners’ determination to support implementation efforts at the country-level, accountability for resources and results, ensuring predictable financing for health and championing innovation. These are the same key factors needed for scaling-up ambitious impact for the SDGs. If we are to realise by 2030 our goals, if we are to end all preventable maternal, child and adolescent deaths, we need first and foremost national leadership to drive the agenda. Crucially, we also need innovative fiscal commitments to support the means of implementation. India has a critical role here. It is a rising economic power and is also home to more women and children than any other country. By 2020, India will have the world’s youngest working population, giving the nation a political responsibility, an economic imperative and an unparalleled opportunity. Because when women and children thrive, so too do communities and nations. CK Mishra is additional secretary in the ministry of health and family welfare Amina Mohammed is the UN secretary-general’s special adviser on post-2015 development planning

Huffington Post: Girls and Women Must be at the Center of the Global Development Agenda Katja Iversen, 25 February 2015 I am an optimist. Some would say I am a naïve optimist. Others would say I am an impatient optimist. There may be some truth to this, but after more than a decade working in global health I can say with confidence that over the next 10 years we will make significant and sustainable change to improve the lives of women and girls in the world's poorest countries. It will happen gradually and require a strong global strategy, but it is possible. Just think about how much progress has been made over the last two decades: maternal deaths have dropped by almost half, contraceptive use has increased, more girls are in school, more women are in leadership positions, and women's rights are more widely recognized. Though we need to recognize this progress, this is no time for complacency. Every day, an estimated 800 women -- many of them adolescents -- die in pregnancy or childbirth, and every year three million newborns do not survive their first year. Self-determination continues to elude countless numbers of women and girls: 225 million women have an unmet need for modern contraception; 31 million girls are not in secondary school and early marriage remains a pervasive problem in many countries. In September the United Nations will release the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will drive progress on social, economic and environmental development for the next 15 years. If these goals are to be

achieved, girls and women must be at the center of the agenda. That is why a group of selected stakeholders -- including Women Deliver -- are in New Delhi this week for the Stakeholders Consultation Meeting on the Updated Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health. We are reviewing the current Global Strategy, assessing progress, and identifying obstacles and new challenges, with the goal of crafting an updated Global Strategy that will coincide with the launch of the SDGs in September. This strategy development is happening now in order to give us a head start to ensure that the health, rights, and wellbeing of women, children, and adolescents are given priority this time around. Women Deliver believes that there are four elements that need to be included in both the SDGs and the updated Global Strategy: Include sexual and reproductive health and rights: Universal access to sexual and reproductive health, including for adolescent, needs to be a priority in the post-2015 agenda, in both the SDGs and in the new Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescent's Health. While improving maternal health is necessary, it is not sufficient. Women are more than mothers and incubators for healthy children, so we need the full range of sexual and reproductive health reflected -- and hand-in-hand with this is the need to address rights. Highlighting sexual health and

reproductive rights is not only the right thing to do morally; it is also the economically sound thing to do. When girls and women survive and thrive, it creates a positive ripple effect throughout society: communities and economies are stronger, environments are more resilient, and overall -- everybody wins. Multi-sector collaboration is needed to implement the strategy successfully: Improving the health, rights, and wellbeing of women, children, and adolescents is everybody's business -- and it cannot be business as usual. It is important that the SDGs and the Global Strategy are not only seen as a UN undertaking. It will take government, civil society, academia, private sector, and a good dose of true collaboration to implement the new and refreshed version of the Global Strategy. It is one of those things that is easy to say, and challenging to do, but the last couple of years of unprecedented collaboration around global health and the great Every Woman Every Child undertaking shows that it can be done. For more see, Delivering on the promise of multisectoral collaboration. Collaboration across issues, including non-health issues, is crucial: Evidence shows that if we try to solve health problems with health interventions alone, we are missing not only the point, but also the target. We need to lean on, learn from, and work across other issues such as education, gender equality, nutrition, women's political and economic participation, empowerment, water,

sanitation, and hygiene. Not to mention our 'close neighbors': nutrition and non-communicable diseases, including cervical cancer and diabetes. So yes, we might end up having only one SDG dedicated to health, but health improvements can come from other fronts and the Global Strategy needs to cross reference and draw on progress and interventions in other goals, targets, and areas as well. (For more, see Women Deliver's Post 2015 toolkit. Involve young people: Nothing about us, without us A critical learning from the last 15 years is that we sidelined young people in the conversations around the development and implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. We must not make the same mistake. Today's generation of young people is the largest the world has ever seen, with more than half the

world's population being under the age of 30. Their needs, opportunities, and choices are what will define not only the world as we know it, but the world as we want it. Not least when it comes to sex and reproduction. And young people will be the ones who -- to the largest extent -- will have to live and implement the coming goals and plans. Simply put, the world cannot afford to leave this tremendous potential untapped. Yet all too often, young people's needs and voices are excluded from international forums where decisions are being made about their lives and their futures. It is good to see that this is not the case in regard to the work on the Global Strategy 2.0, which has to address both young people's participation and needs. Read more on the World Bank blog: Listen, Learn, and Invest in Young People. The finish line is not the launch of a grand plan in September,

when the SDGs are announced, that is merely the beginning. With an updated, stronger, and more inclusive global strategy, we will be well-positioned to move onto the next phase -- implementation -- to make the goals a reality. We are looking forward to reconvening again at the Women Deliver conference in Copenhagen in May 2016 -- along with 5000+ global influencers, corporate sector leaders, activists, advocates, and researchers -- to focus our attention on how to implement the goals, hone in on solutions and ways to promote accountability, and the best ways to realize impact. For an optimist like me, this is an exciting time to be a global health advocate. I am confident that with resolve, global commitment, true collaboration, and action, the lives of girls and women in 2030 will be dramatically improved. Everywhere.

IBNLive: Prioritizing good health of every woman and every child with Robin Gorna, 25 February 2015 The stakeholder consultation meeting on the Updated Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents Health will be held in New Delhi on 26-27 February. The meeting, which brings government and its partners like the United Nations on a platform aims at setting up a roadmap for action and accountability by all partners to end preventable deaths of women, children and adolescents. Robin Gorna, Executive Director of Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) answers people’s

queries on how to prioritize good health of every woman every child. Q. Why has India been asked to lead the stakeholder consultation meeting on the Updated Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents Health? Asked by: Abhyudayanandan A. In conclusion, the Indian government has played a key leadership role nationally, regionally and internationally on women's, children's and adolescent health, and that is part of why the consultation is taking place here. And in

addition, the private sector in India has much to share, including through the recent CSR law and the broader actions of many companies, including the vibrant role of the private sector in healthcare and the generic pharmaceutical industry, which serves as a pharmacy to the world. Civil society groups in India are highly regarded for their energy and impact, and there are many other sectors of society who have played key roles. India has much to contribute from its national response as well as its very

warm welcome. We thank you all for hosting us. Q. How important is it to have on board influential people who support the cause? Asked by: Ria A. Champions from popular culture, faith leaders, political leaders, private sector leaders, as well as leaders within local communities and families all have their part to play. Each of us is influenced by different people and different messages, and this is why it's so important that we all pull together and share a common goal and a common vision. Everyone in India recalls Amitabh Bachchan and the polio campaign and the impact it had in polio eradication. In the context of maternal and child health more broadly, we welcome more such high-profile interventions to keep the energy high and India well on track to its Millennium Development Goals. Q. Do you think India will be able to achieve its MDG 4 and 5 targets which require the country to cut down its under-five child mortality rate by two-thirds and reduce maternal deaths by three-quarters by the end of 2015 from the levels prevailing in the year 1990? Asked by: Aditya A. There are 309 days left until the end of 2015, when the Millennium Development Goals are to be realised. India has far exceeded the global rate of progress in regard to reducing maternal mortality, which has fallen by 71 per cent between 1990 and 2013, compared with the global decline of 45 per cent. This single-minded dedication to evidence-based policy-making has enabled India to tackle some of the most entrenched difficulties in providing access to care. Measuring impact is

always complicated in a country as large and diverse as India, where national statistics mask significant pockets of inequity within states and among population groups. There are also areas of even greater success than the national picture. Q. Do you think the Indian government is doing enough to save the lives of women and children in India? Asked by: Anamika A. India has taken on a global leadership role in sharing best practices to improve the health of women and children. For example, India's highly targeted approach to the 184 high-priority districts that carry the highest burden of ill health and mortality in the country have received extra budgets and policy attention. This focus is accelerating action in these districts, this approach combined with large-scale national programs such as JSY and JSSK, providing cashless support to women for their delivery care, has had remarkable impact on improving maternal and newborn survival. Q. Let's say that the strategy is updated and commitments are ratified, what mechanisms will ensure that stakeholders, vertically and horizontally, will intersect and interact to bring about substantive change on the ground? Asked by: Modichur A. Partnerships are fundamental to effective action. I'm really excited that here in Delhi we have meetings for the private sector, for civil society groups, for donors and also for governments, healthcare professionals and academics, as well as the UN. We know that it is only by finding strong and lasting ways

for all of these groups to work together that we can deliver our new goals. The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) is very proud to have worked with so many diverse players and we have catalysed a number of innovative ways for partnerships to work more effectively in different country settings. Q. How do you think we can promote accountability of the government in ensuring better health services for women, children and adolescent? Asked by: Aakanksha A. Accountability needs to be shared between all partners in our collective effort to end preventable deaths among women, newborns, children and adolescents, and to build their health. Civil society groups are fundamental to this effort, providing a way for citizens to have their needs heard and to ensure that all those with power and responsibility deliver the plans they have committed to. This includes a strong media and social media response. Q. There is a deep rooted stigma against the girl child in developing countries, especially in India. How can you create an atmosphere of equality in rural areas with such huge numbers? Asked by: Neeraj A. Stigma and discrimination against girls and women is destroying lives in many parts of the world, including rural and urban areas of India. Strategies to address human rights are as fundamental as scaling up strong health and education services. Reducing child marriage is vital. Ten to fifteen year old girls who give birth are ten times as likely to die as young women aged 20-

25. We must do more to protect their rights as well as to provide health services that are sensitive and accessible to all adolescents including those who have been married at a very young age. Q. How do you think we can improve the child mortality rates in India? Asked by: Mayank Gulati A. Newborn mortality accounts for 52 per cent of all under-5 deaths in India. As a result, this has become a major priority for the government of India, which launched its India Newborn Action Plan, last September. This plan focuses on the

interventions and targeted coverage in the critical first days of life, and this is designed to have a massive impact on child mortality rates as well as the lives of mothers. Stillbirths remain a key issue to tackle within this plan. As well as getting the health services right, it's vital to scale up action in the fields of water, sanitation and education, as well as building strong community support, so that everyone can work together to improve child mortality rates. Q. How do we get our policymakers to prioritize Women's, Children's and

Adolescents Health in India? Asked by: Shyamak Mukherjee A. The fact that India is hosting this consultation on the new Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent Health shows the global leadership of the government of India. This global leadership reflects India’s strong national response. The government has taken on an incredible leadership role in regard to a continuum of care approach, connecting reproductive health with maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health. We are in no doubt that this priority will continue.

Business Standard: India to hold global meet to chalk out vision for women health 24 February 2014 To be held in New Delhi from February 26 to February 27, the 'Every Woman Every Child' Stakeholder Consultation would be attended by more than 100 governments, civil societies and international organisations from around the world. "In majority of the international forums, we have actually been saying that international policies and programmes need to be country focussed. I am thankful that the organisers have taken this call and decided to let consultation be led by India," said C K Mishra, additional secretary of the Health Ministry. He said there was Millennium Development Goals of the UN till 2015, which many countries

have achieved while some are yet to fulfil the target. "So we need to come up with a strategy post 2015 and we feel that in this post 2015 strategy, there is a very strong case for women, child and adolescent issues to get priority. We have to now start looking at sustainable development agenda. Whatever consultations we do, will feed into the post 2015 sustainable development agenda," he said. He hoped that the thought process will become the backbone of the strategy which will be formalised. The new global strategy which is set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development

Goals will provide a road map for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the UN Secretary General's landmark 2010 global strategy for women and children's health which created that 'every women every child' movement and helped generate 20 billion US Dollars in new and additional funding. "Our progress has been tremendous but the gaps we face remind us that there is much more to do especially for adolescent girls, newborns and for women and children's health in humanitarian settings," said Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director General for Family, Women and Children's Health, WHO.

The Health Site: India to host ‘Every Woman Every Child’ global meeting to improve healthcare 25 February 2015 India will host a key global meeting this week to help draft a blueprint that will feed into UN efforts to chalk out key targets to improve health of women, child and adolescents in the years beyond 2015. To be held in New Delhi from February 26 to February 27, the ‘Every Woman Every Child’ Stakeholder Consultation would be attended by more than 100 governments, civil societies and international organisations from around the world. “In majority of the international forums, we have actually been saying that international policies and programmes need to be country focussed. I am thankful that the organisers have taken this call and decided to let consultation be led by India,” said C K Mishra, additional secretary of the Health Ministry. He said there was Millennium Development Goals of the UN till 2015, which many countries have achieved while some are yet to fulfil the target. “So we need to come up with a strategy post 2015 and we feel that in this post 2015 strategy, there is a very strong case for women, child and adolescent issues to get priority. We have to now start looking at sustainable development

agenda. Whatever consultations we do, will feed into the post 2015 sustainable development agenda,” he said. He hoped that the thought process will become the backbone of the strategy which will be formalised. The new global strategy which is set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals will provide a road map for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the UN Secretary General’s landmark 2010 global strategy for women and children’s health which created that ‘every women every child’ movement and helped generate 20 billion US Dollars in new and additional funding. “Our progress has been tremendous but the gaps we face remind us that there is much more to do especially for adolescent girls, newborns and for women and children’s health in humanitarian settings,” said Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director General for Family, Women and Children’s Health, WHO. “We must redouble our efforts to confront gender-based inequities that rob so many

women and girls of the chance to realise their potential. These are serious challenges but countries like India demonstrate that national commitment and leadership starting from the top are essential to success,” Bustreo said. The consultation at New Delhi will give stakeholders from India and around the world the opportunity to weigh in on the priorities, policies and targets in the current draft of the global strategy based on lessons learned from local experiences. The consultation is being co-hosted by the Health Ministry, UN Secretary General’s Office, WHO and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) and others. India has made progress towards improving health of women and children in the past two decades and child mortality has been halved and maternal mortality has been reduced by two-thirds in large part to targeted interventions and ambitious national programmes. India’s under-five mortality rate has declined by an average of 6.65 per cent per year and is likely that the country will reach its MDG 4 target of 42 per 1,000 births in 2015.

The Asian Age: UN meet on women, kids’ health on February 26 25 February 2015 After making significant gains in maternal and child healthcare, India will host a consultation on the United Nations revised global strategy

for women, children and adolescent health to prioritise and invest in their health and well-being over the next 15 years.

Over 100 stakeholders with senior representatives from government, civil society, international organisations and

the private sector around the world will be the part of the consultation that will be held on February 26-27, 2015. “It is important not merely for India but for the global community. We will host consultation essentially to prioritise where to concentrate in the next 15 years,” said C.K. Mishra, additional secretary in the Union health ministry.

The global strategy set to be released at the UNGA in September will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents. “We are delighted that we will have discussions which will become priority health issues. There will be discussion on how to improve the health of newborns, reduction of child deaths

between one month and below, universal access to reproduction health, issues related to violence against women will all be the part of discussions during the meet,” said assistant director general of family, women’s and children’s health (WHO) Flavia Bustreo.

Zee News: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda PTI, 26 February 2015 New Delhi: Health concerns, especially those related to women, children and adolescents, are "prominent and pressing" agenda for the Narendra Modi-led government, Union Minister J P Nadda Thursday said. Noting that under-five and maternal mortality rates in the country have registered a decline over the years, the Health Minister said he was "hopeful" that the country will achieve UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aims at reducing child and maternal mortality rates. MDGs 4 and 5 call for a two-third reduction of under five child deaths and a three-quarter reduction of maternal deaths respectively by the end of 2015. "The health of women, children and adolescents is one of the most prominent and pressing agenda for the global community. ... Health and public health concerns, especially those related to women and mothers, children and adolescents, are central to the governance agenda of

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our country," he said. Nadda was speaking at the Global Stakeholders Consultation event here on the topic of updated global strategy for women's, children's and adolescents' health - "Every Woman, Every Child". Noting that global progress has been uneven and it differed across and within countries, Nadda said that there is a need to reach the poorest and the most vulnerable. "We need to pay special attention to low-income countries, and fragile states and vulnerable groups such as adolescents and youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples," he said. Nadda said that the under-five mortality rate has come down by over 61 per cent between 1990 and 2013 while the neonatal mortality rate has registered a 47 per cent decline between 1990 and 2013. "The maternal mortality indicators have come down

substantially, making for a reduction of nearly 70 per cent between 1990 and 2013. "At this point in time I am very hopeful that India may achieve its targets for both MDG 4 and 5," he said. Global Stakeholders Consultation seeks to draft a blueprint that will feed into UN efforts to chalk out key targets to improve health of women, child and adolescents in the years beyond 2015. The Health Minister hoped that the discussions during the consultation will be based on what countries have achieved over the last two decades. Noting that challenges still remain, Nadda said, "There are large inequalities across and within states in India. To address these, we have shifted our focus to geographical areas of greatest concern and populations that carry the highest burden of illness and mortality." Stating that they have the opportunity today to shape the development priorities of the future, he urged the global

community not to "squander" it but to lead from the front. India has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach - Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health+A (RMNCH+A) -- in order to focus on all life stages including adolescence, the Health Minister said. "We are committed to the cause of new born health. The India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) is a structured and evidence based attempt to eliminate all preventable new-born deaths and still births, and to scale up high-impact but cost-effective interventions," he said. Referring to maternal and child health programmes of Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) and the

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) which provide active incentives for institutional deliveries, he said every woman who delivers a baby in a public health facility is guaranteed free medical care, free drugs and medicines, free diagnostics, support for a nutritious diet and transport. "As a result, institutional delivery has increased from a pre-programme average of 40.7 per cent in 2005-06 to 74.4 per cent in 2013," Nadda said. He said building on India's successful battle against wild polio, the country's universal immunisation programme has been expanded to introduce three new vaccines -- rotavirus, rubella and polio ? targeting rotavirus, which is the leading cause of diarrhoea and among the biggest killers of children in our country.

He also referred to the recently launched 'Mission Indradhanush' which aims to cover by 2020 children who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against the seven vaccine-preventable diseases -- diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B, The two-day consultation will give stakeholders from India and around the world the opportunity to weigh in on the priorities, policies and targets in the current draft of the global strategy based on lessons learned from local experiences. The consultation is being co-hosted by Health Ministry, UN Secretary General's Office, WHO and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) and others.

DNA: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Centre: JP Nadda PTI, 26 February 2015 Health concerns, especially those related to women, children and adolescents, are "prominent and pressing" agenda for the Narendra Modi-led government, Union Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said. Noting that under-five and maternal mortality rates in the country have registered a decline over the years, the Health Minister said he was "hopeful" that the country will achieve UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aims at reducing child and maternal mortality rates. MDGs 4 and 5 call for a two-third reduction of under five child deaths and a three-

quarter reduction of maternal deaths respectively by the end of 2015. "The health of women, children and adolescents is one of the most prominent and pressing agenda for the global community. ... Health and public health concerns, especially those related to women and mothers, children and adolescents, are central to the governance agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our country," he said. Nadda was speaking at the Global Stakeholders Consultation event here on the topic of updated global strategy for women's,

children's and adolescents' health - "Every Woman, Every Child". Noting that global progress has been uneven and it differed across and within countries, Nadda said that there is a need to reach the poorest and the most vulnerable. "We need to pay special attention to low-income countries, and fragile states and vulnerable groups such as adolescents and youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples," he said. Nadda said that the under-five mortality rate has come down by over 61% between 1990 and 2013 while the neonatal

mortality rate has registered a 47 per cent decline between 1990 and 2013. "The maternal mortality indicators have come down substantially, making for a reduction of nearly 70 per cent between 1990 and 2013.

"At this point in time I am very hopeful that India may achieve its targets for both MDG 4 and 5," he said. Global Stakeholders Consultation seeks to draft a

blueprint that will feed into UN efforts to chalk out key targets to improve health of women, child and adolescents in the years beyond 2015.

Business Standard: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda PTI, 26 February 2015 Health concerns, especially those related to women, children and adolescents, are "prominent and pressing" agenda for the Narendra Modi-led government, Union Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said. Noting that under-five and maternal mortality rates in the country have registered a decline over the years, the Health Minister said he was "hopeful" that the country will achieve UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aims at reducing child and maternal mortality rates. MDGs 4 and 5 call for a two-third reduction of under five child deaths and a three-quarter reduction of maternal deaths respectively by the end of 2015. "The health of women, children and adolescents is one of the most prominent and pressing

agenda for the global community. ... Health and public health concerns, especially those related to women and mothers, children and adolescents, are central to the governance agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our country," he said. Nadda was speaking at the Global Stakeholders Consultation event here on the topic of updated global strategy for women's, children's and adolescents' health - "Every Woman, Every Child". Noting that global progress has been uneven and it differed across and within countries, Nadda said that there is a need to reach the poorest and the most vulnerable. "We need to pay special attention to low-income countries, and fragile states and vulnerable groups such as adolescents and youth,

older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples," he said. Nadda said that the under-five mortality rate has come down by over 61% between 1990 and 2013 while the neonatal mortality rate has registered a 47 per cent decline between 1990 and 2013. "The maternal mortality indicators have come down substantially, making for a reduction of nearly 70 per cent between 1990 and 2013. "At this point in time I am very hopeful that India may achieve its targets for both MDG 4 and 5," he said. Global Stakeholders Consultation seeks to draft a blueprint that will feed into UN efforts to chalk out key targets to improve health of women, child and adolescents in the years beyond 2015.

Press Information Bureau: Mother, child and adolescent health high on Government agenda: Shri J P Nadda India hosts Global Stakeholder Consultation 26 February 2015 The health of women, young adults and children is central to the governance agenda the Government and it is not just the concern of the global community. Reaffirming the

commitment of the government towards meeting the health needs of mothers, adolescents and children, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri J P Nadda

stated this at the inauguration of the Global Stakeholders’ Consultation to update the strategy for health of Woman, Children and Adolescents- “Every Woman, Every Child”,

here today. The global consultation is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with UN Secretary General’s Office, the World Health Organisation and Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) and other H4+ partners comprising six United Nations agencies- UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, WHO and the World Bank. Pointing that improved health outcomes are an economic and social investment which is an integral part for a robust and thriving economy, the Health Minister pointed out that India has made substantial progress on several indicators in the recent years. The under-five mortality rate has come down by over 61 per cent between 1990 and 2013; the neonatal mortality rate has registered a 47 per cent decline between 1990 and 2013, while the maternal mortality indicators have shown reduction of nearly 70 per cent between 1990 and 2013. He stated that India is geared to achieve its targets for both MGD 4 and 5. Shri Nadda stated that drawing on the lessons learned through the implementation of various targeted programmes under the NHM, existing traditional areas of work have been strengthened and newer focus areas have been identified. India has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach, the RMNCH+A, focusing attention

on all the life stages including adolescents. This new approach emphasizes inter-linkages between each of the five pillars under RMNCH+A, and connects community and facility based services. The Health Minister highlighted the salient features of the Mission ‘Indradhanush’ to ensure vaccination of each and every left out and missed out child in India against seven vaccine-preventable diseases by 2020. These diseases include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B. He further added that India’s universal immunisationprogramme has been expanded to introduce three new vaccines for children: those against rotavirus, rubella and polio – targeting rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhoea and among the biggest killers of children in our country.To address the challenge posed by the significant inequalities across and within states, the focus has been shifted to geographical areas of greatest concern and populations that carry the highest burden of illness and mortality, he stated. Speaking at the occasion, MsAmina Mohammed, Special Advisor to UN Secretary Generalsaid that while tremendous progress has been made during the last decade on several indicators of mother, child and adolescent health, much remains to be done. There is need for deepening

and strengthening partnerships between various stakeholders for achieving the goals for a sustainable development agenda. Emerging economies have an important role to play within this framework of partnership, she added. The updated 2015 Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health seeks to inform the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda with a vision to ensure that by 2030 every woman, child, and adolescent can realize their potential and right to attain the highest level of health and wellbeing, dignity and human security. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. Dr.FlaviaBustreo,Assistant Director General, WHO;DrPoonamKhetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO;MrYemuraiNyoni, youth Parliamentarian from Zimbabwe; MsNataMenabde, Country Representative, WHO; Secretary (Health& Family Welfare), Shri B P Sharma and other senior officials from the Health Ministry were also present at the inaugural session of the two-day global meet.

Business Standard: Mother, child and adolescent health high on Government agenda: Shri J P Nadda India hosts Global Stakeholder Consultation 26 February 2015 The health of women, young adults and children is central to the governance agenda the Government and it is not just the concern of the global community. Reaffirming the commitment of the government towards meeting the health needs of mothers, adolescents and children, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri J P Nadda stated this at the inauguration of the Global Stakeholders Consultation to update the strategy for health of Woman, Children and Adolescents- Every Woman, Every Child, here today. The global consultation is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with UN Secretary Generals Office, the World Health Organisation and Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) and other H4+ partners comprising six United Nations agencies- UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, WHO and the World Bank. Pointing that improved health outcomes are an economic and social investment which is an integral part for a robust and thriving economy, the Health Minister pointed out that India has made substantial progress on several indicators in the recent years. The under-five mortality rate has come down by over 61 per cent between 1990 and 2013; the neonatal mortality rate has registered a 47 per cent decline between 1990 and 2013, while the maternal mortality indicators have shown reduction of nearly 70 per cent between 1990 and 2013. He stated that India is

geared to achieve its targets for both MGD 4 and 5. ShriNadda stated that drawing on the lessons learned through the implementation of various targeted programmes under the NHM, existing traditional areas of work have been strengthened and newer focus areas have been identified. India has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach, the RMNCH+A, focusing attention on all the life stages including adolescents. This new approach emphasizes inter-linkages between each of the five pillars under RMNCH+A, and connects community and facility based services. The Health Minister highlighted the salient features of the Mission Indradhanush to ensure vaccination of each and every left out and missed out child in India against seven vaccine-preventable diseases by 2020. These diseases include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B. He further added that Indias universal immunisationprogramme has been expanded to introduce three new vaccines for children: those against rotavirus, rubella and polio targeting rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhoea and among the biggest killers of children in our country.To address the challenge posed by the significant inequalities across and within states, the focus has been shifted to geographical areas of greatest concern and populations that carry the

highest burden of illness and mortality, he stated. Speaking at the occasion, MsAmina Mohammed, Special Advisor to UN Secretary Generalsaid that while tremendous progress has been made during the last decade on several indicators of mother, child and adolescent health, much remains to be done. There is need for deepening and strengthening partnerships between various stakeholders for achieving the goals for a sustainable development agenda. Emerging economies have an important role to play within this framework of partnership, she added. The updated 2015 Global Strategy for Womens, Childrens and Adolescents Health seeks to inform the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda with a vision to ensure that by 2030 every woman, child, and adolescent can realize their potential and right to attain the highest level of health and wellbeing, dignity and human security. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. Dr.FlaviaBustreo,Assistant Director General, WHO;DrPoonamKhetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO;MrYemuraiNyoni, youth Parliamentarian from Zimbabwe; MsNataMenabde, Country Representative, WHO;

Secretary (Health& Family Welfare), Shri B P Sharma and other senior officials from the

Health Ministry were also present at the inaugural

session of the two-day global meet.

Outlook India: Women and Children's Health Pressing Agenda for Govt: Nadda PTI, 26 February 2015 Health concerns, especially those related to women, children and adolescents, are "prominent and pressing" agenda for the Narendra Modi-led government, Union Minister J P Nadda today said. Noting that under-five and maternal mortality rates in the country have registered a decline over the years, the Health Minister said he was "hopeful" that the country will achieve UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aims at reducing child and maternal mortality rates. MDGs 4 and 5 call for a two-third reduction of under five child deaths and a three-quarter reduction of maternal deaths respectively by the end of 2015. "The health of women, children and adolescents is one of the most prominent and pressing agenda for the global community. Health and public health concerns, especially those related to women and mothers, children and adolescents, are central to the governance agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our country," he said. Nadda was speaking at the Global Stakeholders Consultation event here on the topic of updated global strategy for women's, children's and adolescents' health - "Every Woman, Every Child".

Noting that global progress has been uneven and it differed across and within countries, Nadda said that there is a need to reach the poorest and the most vulnerable. "We need to pay special attention to low-income countries, and fragile states and vulnerable groups such as adolescents and youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples," he said. Nadda said that the under-five mortality rate has come down by over 61 per cent between 1990 and 2013 while the neonatal mortality rate has registered a 47 per cent decline between 1990 and 2013. "The maternal mortality indicators have come down substantially, making for a reduction of nearly 70 per cent between 1990 and 2013. "At this point in time I am very hopeful that India may achieve its targets for both MDG 4 and 5," he said. Global Stakeholders Consultation seeks to draft a blueprint that will feed into UN efforts to chalk out key targets to improve health of women, child and adolescents in the years beyond 2015. The Health Minister hoped that the discussions during the consultation will be based on

what countries have achieved over the last two decades. Noting that challenges still remain, Nadda said, "There are large inequalities across and within states in India. To address these, we have shifted our focus to geographical areas of greatest concern and populations that carry the highest burden of illness and mortality." Stating that they have the opportunity today to shape the development priorities of the future, he urged the global community not to "squander" it but to lead from the front. India has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach - Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health+A (RMNCH+A) -- in order to focus on all life stages including adolescence, the Health Minister said. "We are committed to the cause of new born health. The India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) is a structured and evidence based attempt to eliminate all preventable new-born deaths and still births, and to scale up high-impact but cost-effective interventions," he said. Referring to maternal and child health programmes of Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) and the Janani Shishu Suraksha

Karyakram (JSSK) which provide active incentives for institutional deliveries, he said every woman who delivers a baby in a public health facility is guaranteed free medical care, free drugs and medicines, free diagnostics, support for a nutritious diet and transport. "As a result, institutional delivery has increased from a pre-programme average of 40.7 per cent in 2005-06 to 74.4 per cent in 2013," Nadda said. He said building on India's successful battle against wild polio, the country's universal

immunisation programme has been expanded to introduce three new vaccines -- rotavirus, rubella and polio – targeting rotavirus, which is the leading cause of diarrhoea and among the biggest killers of children in our country. He also referred to the recently launched 'Mission Indradhanush' which aims to cover by 2020 children who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against the seven vaccine-preventable diseases -- diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B,

The two-day consultation will give stakeholders from India and around the world the opportunity to weigh in on the priorities, policies and targets in the current draft of the global strategy based on lessons learned from local experiences. The consultation is being co-hosted by Health Ministry, UN Secretary General's Office, WHO and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) and others.

Niti Central: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Centre: JP Nadda PTI, 26 February 2015 Health concerns, especially those related to women, children and adolescents, are "prominent and pressing" agenda for the Narendra Modi-led government, Union Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said. Noting that under-five and maternal mortality rates in the country have registered a decline over the years, the Health Minister said he was "hopeful" that the country will achieve UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aims at reducing child and maternal mortality rates. MDGs 4 and 5 call for a two-third reduction of under five child deaths and a three-quarter reduction of maternal deaths respectively by the end of 2015. "The health of women, children and adolescents is one of the most prominent and pressing

agenda for the global community. ... Health and public health concerns, especially those related to women and mothers, children and adolescents, are central to the governance agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our country," he said. Nadda was speaking at the Global Stakeholders Consultation event here on the topic of updated global strategy for women's, children's and adolescents' health - "Every Woman, Every Child". Noting that global progress has been uneven and it differed across and within countries, Nadda said that there is a need to reach the poorest and the most vulnerable. "We need to pay special attention to low-income countries, and fragile states and vulnerable groups such as adolescents and youth,

older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples," he said. Nadda said that the under-five mortality rate has come down by over 61% between 1990 and 2013 while the neonatal mortality rate has registered a 47 per cent decline between 1990 and 2013. "The maternal mortality indicators have come down substantially, making for a reduction of nearly 70 per cent between 1990 and 2013. "At this point in time I am very hopeful that India may achieve its targets for both MDG 4 and 5," he said. Global Stakeholders Consultation seeks to draft a blueprint that will feed into UN efforts to chalk out key targets to improve health of women, child and adolescents in the years beyond 2015.

The Pioneer: Women, kids’ health a pressing agenda: Nadda PTI, 26 February 2015 New Delhi: Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was “hopeful” that the country will achieve UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aims at reducing child and

maternal mortality rates. MDGs 4 and 5 call for a two-third reduction of under five child deaths and a three-quarter reduction of maternal deaths respectively by the end of 2015. He said health

concerns, especially those related to women, children and adolescents, are “prominent and pressing” agenda for the Narendra Modi-led Government.

IANS: Nadda promises updated healthcare strategy 26 February 2015 Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday said the government is committed to improving healthcare policies for women, children and adolescents and will update the strategy to improve it. "The health of women, adolescents and children is important in the government's agenda and it is not just the concern of the global community. The government is committed to improving the policies of health of women, child and adolescents. It will update the strategies," Nadda said. He was speaking at the inauguration of Global Stakeholders' Consultation here to update the strategy for health of woman, children and adolescents -- "Every Woman, Every Child". The two-day global consultation is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with the UN agencies.

Nadda stated that drawing on the lessons learned through the implementation of various targeted programmes under the National Health Mission, existing traditional areas of work have been strengthened and newer focus areas have been identified. He said India has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach, the RMNCH+A, focusing attention on all the life stages including adolescents. "This new approach emphasises inter-linkages between each of the five pillars under RMNCH+A, and connects community and facility based services," the minister said. He further added that India's universal immunisation programme has been expanded to introduce three new vaccines for children: those against rotavirus, rubella and polio - targeting rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhoea

and among the biggest killers of children in our country. "To address the challenge posed by the significant inequalities across and within states, the focus has been shifted to geographical areas of greatest concern and populations that carry the highest burden of illness and mortality," he said. Speaking on the occasion, Amina Mohammed, special advisor to the UN secretary general said that while tremendous progress has been made during the last decade on several indicators of mother, child and adolescent health, much remains to be done. "There is need for deepening and strengthening partnerships between various stakeholders for achieving the goals for a sustainable development agenda. Emerging economies have an important role to play within this framework of partnership," she said.

Business Standard: Nadda promises updated healthcare strategy IANS, 26 February 2015 Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda Thursday said the government is committed to improving healthcare policies for women, children and adolescents and will update the strategy to improve it. "The health of women, adolescents and children is important in the government's agenda and it is not just the concern of the global community. The government is committed to improving the policies of health of women, child and adolescents. It will update the strategies," Nadda said. He was speaking at the inauguration of Global Stakeholders' Consultation here to update the strategy for health of woman, children and adolescents -- "Every Woman, Every Child". The two-day global consultation is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with the UN agencies.

Nadda stated that drawing on the lessons learned through the implementation of various targeted programmes under the National Health Mission, existing traditional areas of work have been strengthened and newer focus areas have been identified. He said India has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach, the RMNCH+A, focusing attention on all the life stages including adolescents. "This new approach emphasises inter-linkages between each of the five pillars under RMNCH+A, and connects community and facility based services," the minister said. He further added that India's universal immunisation programme has been expanded to introduce three new vaccines for children: those against rotavirus, rubella and polio - targeting rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhoea

and among the biggest killers of children in our country. "To address the challenge posed by the significant inequalities across and within states, the focus has been shifted to geographical areas of greatest concern and populations that carry the highest burden of illness and mortality," he said. Speaking on the occasion, Amina Mohammed, special advisor to the UN secretary general said that while tremendous progress has been made during the last decade on several indicators of mother, child and adolescent health, much remains to be done. "There is need for deepening and strengthening partnerships between various stakeholders for achieving the goals for a sustainable development agenda. Emerging economies have an important role to play within this framework of partnership," she said.

Odisha Diary: India hosts Global Stakeholder Consultation 26 February 2015 New Delhi: The health of women, young adults and children is central to the governance agenda the Government and it is not just the concern of the global community. Reaffirming the commitment of the government towards meeting the health needs of mothers, adolescents and children, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri J P Nadda stated this at the inauguration

of the Global Stakeholders’ Consultation to update the strategy for health of Woman, Children and Adolescents- “Every Woman, Every Child”, here today. The global consultation is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with UN Secretary General’s Office, the World Health Organisation and Partnership for Maternal,

Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) and other H4+ partners comprising six United Nations agencies- UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, WHO and the World Bank. Pointing that improved health outcomes are an economic and social investment which is an integral part for a robust and thriving economy, the Health Minister pointed out that India has made substantial progress

on several indicators in the recent years. The under-five mortality rate has come down by over 61 per cent between 1990 and 2013; the neonatal mortality rate has registered a 47 per cent decline between 1990 and 2013, while the maternal mortality indicators have shown reduction of nearly 70 per cent between 1990 and 2013. He stated that India is geared to achieve its targets for both MGD 4 and 5. Shri Nadda stated that drawing on the lessons learned through the implementation of various targeted programmes under the NHM, existing traditional areas of work have been strengthened and newer focus areas have been identified. India has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach, the RMNCH+A, focusing attention on all the life stages including adolescents. This new approach emphasizes inter-linkages between each of the five pillars under RMNCH+A, and connects community and facility based services. The Health Minister highlighted the salient features of the Mission ‘Indradhanush’ to ensure vaccination of each and every left out and missed out child in India against seven

vaccine-preventable diseases by 2020. These diseases include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B. He further added that India’s universal immunisation programme has been expanded to introduce three new vaccines for children: those against rotavirus, rubella and polio – targeting rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhoea and among the biggest killers of children in our country. To address the challenge posed by the significant inequalities across and within states, the focus has been shifted to geographical areas of greatest concern and populations that carry the highest burden of illness and mortality, he stated. Speaking at the occasion, MsAmina Mohammed, Special Advisor to UN Secretary Generalsaid that while tremendous progress has been made during the last decade on several indicators of mother, child and adolescent health, much remains to be done. There is need for deepening and strengthening partnerships between various stakeholders for achieving the goals for a sustainable development agenda. Emerging economies

have an important role to play within this framework of partnership, she added. The updated 2015 Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health seeks to inform the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda with a vision to ensure that by 2030 every woman, child, and adolescent can realize their potential and right to attain the highest level of health and wellbeing, dignity and human security. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. Dr.FlaviaBustreo,Assistant Director General, WHO;DrPoonamKhetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO;MrYemuraiNyoni, youth Parliamentarian from Zimbabwe; MsNataMenabde, Country Representative, WHO; Secretary (Health& Family Welfare), Shri B P Sharma and other senior officials from the Health Ministry were also present at the inaugural session of the two-day global meet.

Mizo News: Nadda promises updated healthcare strategy IANS, 26 February 2015 Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda Thursday said the government is committed to improving healthcare policies for women, children and adolescents and will update the strategy to improve it.

“The health of women, adolescents and children is important in the government’s agenda and it is not just the concern of the global community. The government is committed to improving the policies of health of women,

child and adolescents. It will update the strategies,” Nadda said. He was speaking at the inauguration of Global Stakeholders’ Consultation here to update the strategy for

health of woman, children and adolescents — “Every Woman, Every Child”. The two-day global consultation is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with the UN agencies. Nadda stated that drawing on the lessons learned through the implementation of various targeted programmes under the National Health Mission, existing traditional areas of work have been strengthened and newer focus areas have been identified. He said India has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach, the RMNCH+A,

focusing attention on all the life stages including adolescents. “This new approach emphasises inter-linkages between each of the five pillars under RMNCH+A, and connects community and facility based services,” the minister said. He further added that India’s universal immunisation programme has been expanded to introduce three new vaccines for children: those against rotavirus, rubella and polio – targeting rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhoea and among the biggest killers of children in our country. “To address the challenge posed by the significant inequalities across and within states, the focus has been

shifted to geographical areas of greatest concern and populations that carry the highest burden of illness and mortality,” he said. Speaking on the occasion, Amina Mohammed, special advisor to the UN secretary general said that while tremendous progress has been made during the last decade on several indicators of mother, child and adolescent health, much remains to be done. “There is need for deepening and strengthening partnerships between various stakeholders for achieving the goals for a sustainable development agenda. Emerging economies have an important role to play within this framework of partnership,” she said.

Latest 360: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda PTI, 26 February 2015 New Delhi: Health concerns, especially those related to women, children and adolescents, are "prominent and pressing" agenda for the Narendra Modi-led government, Union Minister J P Nadda Thursday said. Noting that under-five and maternal mortality rates in the country have registered a decline over the years, the Health Minister said he was "hopeful" that the country will achieve UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aims at reducing child and maternal mortality rates. MDGs 4 and 5 call for a two-third reduction of under five child deaths and a three-quarter reduction of maternal

deaths respectively by the end of 2015. "The health of women, children and adolescents is one of the most prominent and pressing agenda for the global community. ... Health and public health concerns, especially those related to women and mothers, children and adolescents, are central to the governance agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our country," he said. Nadda was speaking at the Global Stakeholders Consultation event here on the topic of updated global strategy for women's, children's and adolescents' health - "Every Woman, Every Child".

Noting that global progress has been uneven and it differed across and within countries, Nadda said that there is a need to reach the poorest and the most vulnerable. "We need to pay special attention to low-income countries, and fragile states and vulnerable groups such as adolescents and youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples," he said. Nadda said that the under-five mortality rate has come down by over 61 per cent between 1990 and 2013 while the neonatal mortality rate has registered a 47 per cent decline between 1990 and 2013.

"The maternal mortality indicators have come down substantially, making for a reduction of nearly 70 per cent between 1990 and 2013. "At this point in time I am very hopeful that India may achieve its targets for both MDG 4 and 5," he said. Global Stakeholders Consultation seeks to draft a blueprint that will feed into UN efforts to chalk out key targets to improve health of women, child and adolescents in the years beyond 2015. The Health Minister hoped that the discussions during the consultation will be based on what countries have achieved over the last two decades. Noting that challenges still remain, Nadda said, "There are large inequalities across and within states in India. To address these, we have shifted our focus to geographical areas of greatest concern and populations that carry the highest burden of illness and mortality." Stating that they have the opportunity today to shape the development priorities of the future, he urged the global community not to "squander" it but to lead from the front.

India has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach - Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health+A (RMNCH+A) -- in order to focus on all life stages including adolescence, the Health Minister said. "We are committed to the cause of new born health. The India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) is a structured and evidence based attempt to eliminate all preventable new-born deaths and still births, and to scale up high-impact but cost-effective interventions," he said. Referring to maternal and child health programmes of Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) and the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) which provide active incentives for institutional deliveries, he said every woman who delivers a baby in a public health facility is guaranteed free medical care, free drugs and medicines, free diagnostics, support for a nutritious diet and transport. "As a result, institutional delivery has increased from a pre-programme average of 40.7 per cent in 2005-06 to 74.4 per cent in 2013," Nadda said.

He said building on India's successful battle against wild polio, the country's universal immunisation programme has been expanded to introduce three new vaccines -- rotavirus, rubella and polio ? targeting rotavirus, which is the leading cause of diarrhoea and among the biggest killers of children in our country. He also referred to the recently launched 'Mission Indradhanush' which aims to cover by 2020 children who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against the seven vaccine-preventable diseases -- diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B, The two-day consultation will give stakeholders from India and around the world the opportunity to weigh in on the priorities, policies and targets in the current draft of the global strategy based on lessons learned from local experiences. The consultation is being co-hosted by Health Ministry, UN Secretary General's Office, WHO and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) and others.

The Health Site: JP Nadda promises better healthcare policies for women, children and adolescents 26 February 2015 Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday said the government is committed to improving healthcare policies for women, children and adolescents and will update the strategy to improve it.

‘The health of women, adolescents and children is important in the government’s agenda and it is not just the concern of the global community. The government is committed to improving the policies of health of women,

child and adolescents. It will update the strategies,’ Nadda said. Read about a mobile health unit launched to improve women’s healthcare. He was speaking at the inauguration of Global

Stakeholders’ Consultation here to update the strategy for health of woman, children and adolescents – ‘Every Woman, Every Child’. The two-day global consultation is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with the UN agencies. Nadda stated that drawing on the lessons learned through the implementation of various targeted programmes under the National Health Mission, existing traditional areas of work have been strengthened and newer focus areas have been identified. He said India has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach, the RMNCH+A, focusing attention on all the life stages including adolescents.

‘This new approach emphasises inter-linkages between each of the five pillars under RMNCH+A, and connects community and facility based services,’ the minister said. Read about how women’s health has deteriorated in Rajasthan. He further added that India’s universal immunisation programme has been expanded to introduce three new vaccines for children: those against rotavirus, rubella and polio – targeting rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhoea and among the biggest killers of children in our country. ‘To address the challenge posed by the significant inequalities across and within states, the focus has been shifted to geographical areas of

greatest concern and populations that carry the highest burden of illness and mortality,’ he said. Speaking on the occasion, Amina Mohammed, special advisor to the UN secretary general said that while tremendous progress has been made during the last decade on several indicators of mother, child and adolescent health, much remains to be done. ‘There is need for deepening and strengthening partnerships between various stakeholders for achieving the goals for a sustainable development agenda. Emerging economies have an important role to play within this framework of partnership,’ she said.

Prajatantra Live: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda 27 February 2015

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was hopeful that the country will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the success of the Secretary General’s landmark 2010 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which created the Every Woman Every Child movement and helped generate US$20 billion in new and additional funding for women’s and children’s health.

Samyukta Karnataka (Bangalore, Karnataka): Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda 27 February 2015 Day and Night News: Mother, child and adolescent health high on Govt agenda: Nadda 27 February 2015 Government today reiterated that the health of women, young adults and children was central to its governance agenda and was not just the concern of the global community. Reaffirming the commitment of the government towards meeting the health needs of mothers, adolescents and children, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda stated this at the inauguration of the Global Stakeholders’ Consultation to update the strategy for health of Woman, Children and Adolescents- “Every Woman, Every Child”, here. Pointing out that India had made substantial progress on several indicators in recent years, he said “the under-five mortality rate has come down by over 61 per cent between

1990 and 2013; the neonatal mortality rate has registered a 47 per cent decline between 1990 and 2013, while the maternal mortality indicators have shown reduction of nearly 70 per cent between 1990 and 2013. “India is geared to achieve its targets for both MGD 4 and 5,” he noted. He said drawing on the lessons learned through the implementation of various targeted programmes under the NHM, existing traditional areas of work had been strengthened and newer focus areas identified. The global consultation is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with UN Secretary General’s Office, the World Health Organisation and Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) and other H4+

partners comprising six United Nations agencies- UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, WHO and the World Bank. India, he said, has moved from its earlier focus on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) to a new strategic approach, the RMNCH+A, focusing attention on all the life stages including adolescents. “This new approach emphasised inter-linkages between each of the five pillars under RMNCH+A, and connects community and facility based services,” he said. Speaking on the salient features of the Mission ‘Indradhanush’ to ensure vaccination of each and every left out and missed out child in India against seven vaccine-preventable diseases by 2020, the minister said India’s universal immunisation

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was hopeful that the country will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the success of the Secretary General’s landmark 2010 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which created the Every Woman Every Child movement and helped generate US$20 billion in new and additional funding for women’s and children’s health.

programme had been expanded to introduce three new vaccines for children: those against rotavirus, rubella and polio – targeting rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhoea and among the biggest killers of children in our country.

To address the challenge posed by the significant inequalities across and within states, the focus has been shifted to geographical areas of greatest concern and populations that

carry the highest burden of illness and mortality, he stated. The diseases include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B, an official release here said.

Pharmabiz: India hosts expert consultation on global strategy for women, child and adolescents health 27 February 2015 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is hosting an Every Woman Every Child consultation with more than 130 stakeholders in New Delhi between 26 and 27 February to discuss on global strategy for women, child and adolescents health. The consultation will help seek insights on a range of women’s, children’s and adolescent health issues and include sessions on: progress and lessons learned from the Global Strategy experience since 2010, incorporating country perspectives, learning from current programmes, and placing a new focus on adolescent health and well-being, human rights, emergency and crisis settings, innovative financing, and cross-sectoral approaches. A first draft of the Global Strategy will be shared for consultation at a high-level side meeting during the World Health Assembly in Geneva in May. The strategy will be accompanied by a draft implementation plan, which will be presented to the member-states of the World Health Assembly in May 2016. To end preventable deaths of women, children, and adolescents and improve their

health and well-being, partners from government, the UN, civil society, private business, professional health organisations, and academia and donor organisations are currently developing an updated version of the Global Strategy, first released in 2010 by UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. The strategy will align with the new 2015-2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and will be launched at the SDG Summit, in September 2015 at the UN General Assembly in New York. The 2010-2015 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health has been one of the most successful campaigns in global health history, raising more than $20 billion in new and additional resources for women and children since its launch in 2010. More than 300 partners have made measurable, time-bound commitments to reach the goals of the Global Strategy, including 70 governments, as well as private sector companies, NGOs and others. The momentum of the Every Woman Every Child movement, which puts into action the Global Strategy, has spurred global progress towards reaching the health Millennium Development

Goals (MDGs), which call for a two-thirds reduction of under-five child deaths and a three-quarters reduction of maternal deaths by the end of 2015, dating from a 1990 baseline. At present, maternal and under-five child deaths have fallen by nearly 50 per cent from 1990 levels on a global level. However, in India, child deaths have halved and maternal mortality has fallen by more than two-thirds during this time. This is, in large measure, due to ambitious national programmes such as Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), which has improved institutional delivery by 83 per cent since 2005, and targeted focus on the 184 high priority districts that account for nearly 70 per cent of all infant and maternal deaths in India. “India is proud to host stakeholders from around the world to discuss an issue of critical importance,” says CK Mishra, Additional Secretary at India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. “We know that when women and children are healthy, the benefits for communities and nations are far reaching. The updated Global Strategy will help ensure the world continues to prioritise and invest in their

health and wellbeing over the next 15 years.” “This stakeholder consultation in India comes at a critical time for women’s and children’s health,” says Amina Mohammed, the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning. “We have an unprecedented opportunity to learn from and build on the tremendous progress we’ve made during the MDG era and chart a course for the future that ensures all women, children, and adolescents everywhere, are able to live healthy and productive lives.” The Global Strategy calls for a collaborative approach in which all partners play their part, urging each other to make commitments and to measure progress effectively and

transparently against those commitments. “Partnership is key to the success of Every Woman Every Child,” says Robin Gorna, executive director of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), an alliance of more than 650 organisations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of women, newborns, children and adolescents. “By working together at all levels, from global to local, we are committed to engaging the broadest range of organisations and people from around the world to ensure their voices are heard in the post-2015 Global Strategy, and that their realities and diverse contributions are clearly reflected in this work.”

Says Dr Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director-General for Family, Women’s and Children’s Health at the World Health Organization, which is coordinating the technical content of the Global Strategy: “Our progress has been tremendous, but the gaps we face remind us that there is much more to do, especially for adolescent girls, newborns, and for women’s and children’s health in humanitarian settings. We must redouble our efforts to confront the gender-based inequities that rob so many women and girls of the chance to realise their potential. These are serious challenges, but countries like India demonstrate that national commitment and leadership, starting from the top, are essential to success.”

Hari Bhoomi: Women and children’s health are important issues 27 February 2015

At a Global Strategy meeting organized by Every Woman, Every Child, the Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that health concerns, especially those related to women, children and adolescents are a prominent and pressing agenda for the Narendra Modi-led Government. He highlighted that the maternal and child mortality rate has reduced over the last few years. He is hopeful that the country will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5. MDGs 4 and 5 call for a two-third reduction of child deaths and a three-quarter reduction of maternal deaths respectively by the end of 2015.

Punjab Kesari: Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda 28 February 2015

शिमला: कें द्रीय स्वास््य मंत्री जगत प्रकाि नड्डा ने कहा है कक

मा-ंशिि ुव ककिोरों के स्वास््य पर

ध्यान देना कें द्र सरकार के एजैंडे का हहस्सा है। नई हदल्ली में आयोजजत

सम्मेलन में कें द्रीय मंत्री ने कहा कक

महहलाओ,ं वयस्कों और बच्चों के

स्वास््य की तरफ उचचत ध्यान

हदया जा रहा है व इसके शलए सभी प्रभावी पग उठाए जा रहे हैं।

कें द्रीय स्वास््य मंत्रालय के अलावा इस सम्मेलन का आयोजन यएून

सैके्रटरी जनरल ऑकफस और

डब्लल्यएूचओ सहहत अन्य

अंतरााष्ट्रीय स्तर की संस्थाओ ंकी तरफ से आयोजजत ककया जा रहा है। कें द्रीय स्वास््य मंत्री ने कहा कक

देि हाल के वर्षों में कई के्षत्रों में आगे

बढा है। इसके तहत मात-ृशिि ु

मतृ्य ु दर कम हुई है। ववशभन्न

राष्ट्रीय कायाक्रमों के तहत

महहलाओ ं एव ं बच्चों के स्वास््य

की तरफ वविेर्ष ध्यान हदया गया है। बच्चों को डडप्थीररया, काली खांसी, टैटनसै, पोशलयो, टीबी, खसरा और हैपेटाइहटस बी का टीकाकरण ककया जा रहा है।

Vijay Vani (Bangalore, Karnataka): Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda 28 February 2015

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was hopeful that the country will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the success of the Secretary General’s landmark 2010 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which created the Every Woman Every Child movement and helped generate US$20 billion in new and additional funding for women’s and children’s health.

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was hopeful that India will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the success of the Secretary General’s landmark 2010 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which created the Every Woman Every Child movement and helped generate US$20 billion in new and additional funding for women’s and children’s health.

Udaya Vani (Bangalore, Karnataka): Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda 28 February 2015

Praja Vani (Bangalore, Karnataka): Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda 28 February 2015

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was hopeful that the country will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the success of the Secretary General’s landmark 2010 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which created the Every Woman Every Child movement and helped generate US$20 billion in new and additional funding for women’s and children’s health.

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was hopeful that the country will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the success of the Secretary General’s landmark 2010 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which created the Every Woman Every Child movement and helped generate US$20 billion in new and additional funding for women’s and children’s health.

Sanje Vani (Bangalore, Karnataka): Women and children's health pressing agenda for Govt: Nadda 28 February 2015

Vartha Bharti (Bangalore, Karnataka): Health Consultation meet from today 28 February 2015

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was hopeful that the country will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the success of the Secretary General’s landmark 2010 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which created the Every Woman Every Child movement and helped generate US$20 billion in new and additional funding for women’s and children’s health.

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was hopeful that the country will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the success of the Secretary General’s landmark 2010 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which created the Every Woman Every Child movement and helped generate US$20 billion in new and additional funding for women’s and children’s health.

Vidhuthalai (Chennai, Tamil Nadu): Women and Children Health Program held 28 February 2015

Kannad Prabha (Bangalore, Karnataka): Consultation Meeting 2 March 2015

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was hopeful that the country will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the success of the Secretary General’s landmark 2010 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which created the Every Woman Every Child movement and helped generate US$20 billion in new and additional funding for women’s and children’s health.

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was hopeful that the country will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the success of the Secretary General’s landmark 2010 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which created the Every Woman Every Child movement and helped generate US$20 billion in new and additional funding for women’s and children’s health.

Malai Malar (Chennai, Tamil Nadu): Women and Children Health Program Held 2 March 2015

The Hindu: India turns spotlight on adolescent health R. Prasad, 3 March 2015 “India has demonstrated very strong leadership in positioning adolescent health as part of continuum of care. India has taken the lead to present to the rest of the States why it is important to have a discussion on adolescent health,” said Dr. Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director-General of Family, Women’s and Children’s Health, WHO, Geneva. She was recently in New Delhi to attend the Global Expert Consultation meeting. Last year, India had requested a discussion on adolescent health at the equity board of the WHO.

There were discussions at the equity board this year as well. “We will have a development of framework on adolescent health which will be discussed by all health ministers at the UN General Assembly in May this year,” she added. In February 2013, at the Summit on the Call to Action for Child Survival, India launched its ambitious new Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health strategy, now known as RMNCH+A, to accelerate mortality reduction amongst the country’s most vulnerable women and children.

India has every reason to take the lead — it has a huge adolescent population of 243 million, constituting over 21 per cent of the country’s population. India is yet to meet the Millennium Development Goal 4 (under-5 mortality rate) and MDG 5 (maternal mortality rate). Overlooking the health of the adolescents has been one of the main reasons why it has failed to reach these goals till now. The adolescent period provides a second chance to improve the health and wellbeing of a child in the second decade of his life.

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that he was hopeful that the country will achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. The new Global Strategy, set to be released at the UN General Assembly in September alongside the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will provide a roadmap for improving the health of women, children and adolescents between 2016 and 2030. It will build on the success of the Secretary General’s landmark 2010 Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which created the Every Woman Every Child movement and helped generate US$20 billion in new and additional funding for women’s and children’s health.

While what happens during the early years of life impacts adolescents’ health and development, what takes place during the adolescent period affects health during the adult years and even influences the health and wellbeing of the next generation. Unfortunately, programmes targeted at adolescents are not as advanced as in the case of child health and survival. “We have decades of knowledge, in say, oral rehydration salts (ORS). But in the case of adolescent health, we have only a couple of decades’ knowledge,” she said. “Programmes targeted at adolescents are not so well established. And knowledge and capacity to drive those

programmes are not well established.” Besides health and wellbeing issues like teenage pregnancy, nutrition, alcohol and tobacco consumption, mental health, suicides and road accidents, there are certain interventions which if not applied during the adolescent period can be missed forever. Immunisation of adolescent girls using human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can cut deaths from cervical cancer. As per 2013 data, maternal mortality has been reduced to 2,80,000 across the world. But there are roughly 5,00,000 new cervical cancer cases a year causing nearly 3,00,000 deaths. The

HPV vaccine can prevent the onset of cervical cancer if given to girls between 10 and 13 years. “We are having a discussion on whether the Indian government and society require any other evidence.” Dr. Bustreo said. “But governments have to put in place certain systems.” Since the HPV vaccine serves as primary prevention, governments must also have in place cervical cancer screening, which is secondary prevention. “If you screen and detect cervical cancer, countries should have the ability to treat women, because it is unethical to screen a patient and communicate the news and say we are not able to treat you,” she warned.