WHO and CARE India organise a prelude session to the Partners' Forum 2018 around universal access to RMNCH+A

World Health Organisation (WHO) and CARE India under the aegis of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) organised a workshop as a prelude to the PMNCH Partners’ Forum meeting around 'Quality Equity and Dignity' (QED) in maternal and child health. The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), a global alliance of 192 countries, including India, is working to advance Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A).

The discussions focused on the barriers to providing quality, equitable and respectful health care and strategies to address the challenges based on evidence-based learnings from member countries. Major emphasis was placed on the importance of quality, equity and dignity in health care for mothers and children everywhere, irrespective of social and financial status, gender or physical ability. It also highlighted India’s efforts to achieve universal access to respectful and high-quality health care.

Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, Team Leader, Health Through the Life Course, WHO India, said, "Quality Equity and Dignity’ (QED) need to be categorised within the health system and not done in a project mode. Let us go beyond having islands of excellence amidst rivers of misery."

Manoj Jhalani, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Health Mission, MoHFW, "urged All partners to integrate efforts towards quality, equity and dignity in health services to end preventable maternal, child and newborn deaths and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He stressed upon the need to focus on quality skilled workforce who can provide micro-level solutions to ensure care at the patient level and the population level."