JP Nadda, Dr Michelle Bachelet announce 2018 Partners’ Forum to galvanise global action for women children and adolescent health

Convergence between ministries, states and stakeholders is critical to achievements of shared goals, says Nadda

“Convergence between Ministries, States and stakeholders is critical to achievements of shared goals for health of women, children and adolescents.” This was stated by JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare at the curtain raiser event for the 2018 Partners’ Forum, a global event which will provide a unique platform for learning and exchange between countries on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCH+A). Speaking at the function, Nadda further stated that the Government is committed to collaboration for expanding universal health coverage for women, adolescents and children.

Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health), Dr Michelle Bachelet, former President of the Republic of Chile and incoming board chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), Priyanka Chopra, Partners’ Forum Champion and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Dr Aparajita Gogoi, National Coordinator, White Ribbon Alliance were also present at the occasion, along with other senior officials, advocates and experts.

Underscoring the importance of the 2018 Partners’ Forum, Dr Michelle Bachelet said that cross-sectoral and multi-stakeholder partnerships were vital to push forward for progress on improved health at every life stage. Dr Bachelet emphasised the need for global sharing of best practices and technical expertise at the civil society, academic, private sector and governmental levels to change public discourse and lead society into adopting innovative methods to resolve issues and improve health indicators in children, adolescents and women. She introduced the 12 Success Factors case studies of best practice RMNCH+A programmes and initiatives which will be launched at the 2018 Partners’ Forum, including Intensified Mission Indradhanush.

The 2018 Partners’ Forum will be held in New Delhi on December, 12,13, 2018. It will be a unique platform for learning and exchange for the alliance of 1,000 organisations to align objectives, strategies and resources, and agree on interventions to improve maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health. The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health is an alliance of organisations in 77 countries from the sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health communities, as well as health influencing sectors.
Also present during the function were senior officers of the Ministry, representatives of PMNCH partners, as well as leading advocates, implementers and experts on maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health.