By Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, J P Nadda and Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal today inaugurated the 5th National Summit on Good, Replicable Practices and Innovations in Public Health Care Systems at Kaziranga, Assam. Shri Nadda, while appreciating the efforts of the department in successfully organising the summit, appealed all to follow the principle of Prime Minister of India for bringing about innovation. “First is to Perform, Reform and Transform to bring about systemic changes which can be replicated as Best Practices and the second thing that the Prime Minister speaks about is Speed, Scale and Skill”, he said. India being a vast country, the minister added, whatever scheme or programme is launched it becomes world’s largest programme and the schemes have to be implemented swiftly so that every citizen in the country is covered. The minister was very categorical when he said that health is a sensitive subject and it is very essential that quality is maintained in health care delivery. He said, “We have to be very careful so far as the skill is concerned and we have to see how skill can be improved in Health care”. The Minister said that practice of cooperative federalism has enabled his department to share good practises and replicate them. Shri Nadda stressed on the need to understand the strength, weakness and challenges in the Health sector so that the performance can improved further. The Minister said that the International community is waiting to see the performance of India in the Health sector and he appealed the health officials to rise up to the expectation. Referring to world's largest healthcare scheme – Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), the Minister said that the scheme has been able to benefit around 1.5 lakh people and around Rs 190 crore of bill has been generated within the first month of the launch of the programme. Speaking of the new ventures of the Health Department, the minister mentioned the efforts towards reduction of non-communicable diseases and the efforts towards establishment of 15000 Health and Wellness Centre across the country. The minister concluded his speech with the hope that the this summit will prove to be the best platform to share experiences and to collectively strategize on how to improve health services in the country. Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in his speech said that many exemplary practices have been undertaken in many states to meet healthcare goals and the centre stands committed to supporting the state/UTs in their innovative endeavours. He also said that 15,000 Health and Wellness Centres across the country will start operating soon. Chief Minister of Assam Shri Sarbananda Sonowal congratulated the Health Ministry for launching Ayushman Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister. He said that the scheme will go a long way in ensuring that poor people do not have to bother any longer for the cost of healthcare facilities. He also wished all the participants and delegates that the summit will enable them to learn from one another and to replicate the best practices in their states. Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister for H&FW, Govt of Assam in his speech said that Assam Government has tried to bring about a number of innovations to deliver health care facilities to the unreached. He also mentioned that 19 cancer hospitals are being set up in Assam in association with Tata Trust in PPP mode. The Health Ministry also gave away awards to the states for best performances. The award for Highest Annual Decline in Neonatal Mortality Rate 2015 vs 2016 among states was given to Himachal Pradesh – 1st (- 15.8%), Tamil Nadu 2nd (-14.3%) and Delh-3rd (-14.3%). The award for highest annual decline in Infant Mortality Rate was given to Kerela-1st (-16.7%), Mizoram-2nd (-15.6%) and Karnataka-3rd (-14.3%). The award for highest annual decline in Under 5 Mortality was given Himachal Pradesh-1st (-18.2%), Assam-2nd (-16.1%) and Jharkhand, Gujarat and Kerela (-15.4%). For best performance in Family Planning awards, were given to West Bengal, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan. For best performance in RNTCP, awards were given to Andhra Pradesh, Gujurat and Arunachal Pradesh while in NLEP award was given to Gujarat in category of State and Dadar & Nagar Haveli in the category of Union Territory. Awards for best performance in National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), were given to Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The award for best performing States in the category of indoor services (based on change of IPD/1000 population from 2016-17 to 2017-18-HMIS) was given to Goa, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. Lakshadweep got the award among the Union Territories (UTs). For the best out-patient services, the award was given to Gujarat, Odisha and Karnataka whereas Puducherry got the award amongst the Union Territories. Also present at the function were Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Health Minister, Govt of Assam, Shri Atul Bora, Agriculture Minister, Govt of Assam, Shri Kesab Mahanta, Minister for Water Resources, Science and Technology & IT, Govt of Assam, Shri Pijush Hazarika, Minister of State, Health, Govt of Assam, Ms Preeti Sudan, Secretary H & FW, GoI, Shri Manoj Jhalani, AS & MD (NHM), GoI, Principal Secretaries and Mission Directors from the States. Senior officials, public health experts, representatives of development partners, experts from academic institutions are participating in the summit. A total of 120 practices and innovations are selected for showcase in this summit.