Union Health Secretary, Sudhansh Pant, led the proceedings at the National Urban Health Conclave, focusing on “Developing a Joint Roadmap for Strengthening Health Systems Resilience,” held today. The event, attended by various prominent figures, including Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, served as a platform to underscore the critical importance of bolstering healthcare networks in urban areas.
In his address, Sudhansh Pant emphasized the urgent need to enhance both primary and secondary healthcare infrastructures within urban settings. He highlighted the notable success stories of Urban Local Bodies (ULB) in Maharashtra and Gujarat, where they have played a pivotal role in delivering top-notch healthcare services. Stressing the significance of ULBs’ involvement in healthcare delivery, he stated, “The state of healthcare services will see a substantial improvement with the active participation of ULBs. This, in turn, will render healthcare more affordable and accessible to urban residents.”
Applauding the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Sudhansh Pant stated, “Through joint action, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and National/State teams can create a synergy that will lead to a more sustainable, healthier, and safer urban environment for the urban population.” He further called upon all states and union territories to strive for bridging gaps in healthcare delivery and encouraged the exchange of best practices to fortify the urban healthcare ecosystem.
Manoj Joshi echoed the sentiment that healthcare services in urban areas must be strengthened in a sustainable manner to cater to the diverse needs of the urban populace. He lauded the concept of aligning healthcare services with the specific requirements of each landscape, stating, “Aligning healthcare services according to the needs of the local context is of paramount importance.”
The conference saw the participation of several esteemed individuals, including L.S. Changsan, AS & MD of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Vishal Chauhan, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Major General (Prof) Atul Kotwal, Executive Director of the National Health Systems Resource Centre under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as well as government officials from both the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, representing Central and State levels. Principal Secretaries, Mission Directors from various states, Veena Reddy, Mission Director of USAID, Dr. Neeraj Jain, Country Director of PATH, and other esteemed dignitaries also graced the occasion with their presence.
