Describe the causes of India’s high rate of malnutrition. Talk about the National Nutrition Mission’s importance in this regard.
Government Initiatives to Promote Research and Innovation in Healthcare Sector Initiatives: 1. Establishment of New Medical Research Institutions: The government has focused on setting up new medical research institutions and enhancing existing ones to foster research and innovation in healthcare, sRead more
Government Initiatives to Promote Research and Innovation in Healthcare Sector
Initiatives:
1. Establishment of New Medical Research Institutions: The government has focused on setting up new medical research institutions and enhancing existing ones to foster research and innovation in healthcare, such as the National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis in Chennai.
2. Indigenous Vaccine Development: Initiatives like the “Make in India” campaign have spurred the development of indigenous vaccines, as seen in the successful creation of Covaxin and other vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Medical Technology Development: The government has supported the development of medical technologies and devices through schemes like the Biodesign Program, aimed at nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in the healthcare sector.
4. Research Funding: Various funding schemes like the National Biopharma Mission and the National Health Innovation Portal have been introduced to provide financial support and resources for research and development in healthcare.
Impact on Healthcare Outcomes:
1. Enhanced Drug Discovery: Investments in research and innovation have led to advancements in drug discovery, enabling the development of new and more effective treatments for various diseases, thereby improving healthcare outcomes.
2. Improved Access to Healthcare: Indigenous vaccine development has not only bolstered the country’s response to health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic but has also improved access to essential vaccines, contributing to better healthcare outcomes across the population.
3. Technological Advancements: The focus on medical technology development has resulted in the creation of innovative healthcare solutions, enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and patient care, ultimately leading to improved healthcare outcomes and patient experiences.
Recent Examples:
1. The establishment of the National Institute for One Health, aimed at addressing zoonotic diseases and promoting interdisciplinary research, showcases the government’s commitment to advancing healthcare research.
2. The successful development and rollout of vaccines like Covaxin and Covishield during the COVID-19 pandemic highlight India’s capability in indigenous vaccine production and its impact on mitigating the spread of the virus.
3. The launch of the Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech Mission in 2023 to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in biotechnology research demonstrates the government’s efforts to foster research and innovation in healthcare.
In conclusion, the government’s initiatives to promote research and innovation in the healthcare sector have had a significant impact on improving healthcare outcomes in India, driving advancements in medical research, vaccine development, and technological innovations that contribute to better healthcare delivery and consequences for the population.
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According to UNICEF's The State of the World's Children 2019 report, malnutrition was the primary reason behind 69 percent of deaths of children below the age of five in India. Further the report mentioned that every second child in India (<5 years) is affected by some form of malnutrition. ThisRead more
According to UNICEF’s The State of the World’s Children 2019 report, malnutrition was the primary reason behind 69 percent of deaths of children below the age of five in India. Further the report mentioned that every second child in India (<5 years) is affected by some form of malnutrition. This includes stunting with 35 percent of the children, wasting with 17 percent and 2 percent overweight. Among adults, 23% of women and 20% of men are considered undernourished in India. On the other hand, 21% of women and 19% of men are overweight or obese.
Reasons for prevalence of malnutrition in India
To address the issue of malnutrition, the government has come up with a National Nutritional strategy that aims to reduce all forms of malnutrition by 2030, with a focus on the most vulnerable and critical age groups. National Nutrition Mission is an important component of the strategy. The mission aims to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anemia (among young children, women and adolescent girls) and reduce low birth weight by 2%, 2%, 3% and 2% per annum respectively by 2022 and strive to achieve reduction in stunting from 38.4% (NFHS-4) to 25% by 2022 (Mission 25 by 2022). Broad contours of the approach adopted by the mission include:
An effective implementation of the strategy and the mission would help reduce the burden of malnutrition in India.
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