Thread by @learning4impact

1/ #WorldHealthDay is also a good day to reflect on the opportunities that many India's health challenges bring. In this thread, we summarise some.
First, investing more in health and recognizing disease prevention and health promotion should be the topmost priority.

2/ Currently, India has one of the lowest allocations to health among all countries of the world as percentage of GDP.
#HealthExpense

3/ As a result of such a low investment in health and due to high out-of-pocket expenditure (85.6% according to the @WorldBank) millions of people are pushed further into poverty and are unable to escape.

@WorldBankIndia

4/ Sorting this out through quality care for all with a focus on affordability is a great policy opportunity for India's health sector.
#Health4All #Healthcare

5/ Second, our health system should be strengthened to improve the process of service delivery and be made responsive to the needs of the community. For efficient and effective delivery of services, an efficient public-health workforce is key.
#Inclusion #HealthWorkers #WHD2021

6/ India has one of the lowest density of health workforce; skill building opportunities in the health sector are many, our #FLWs #ASHAs are overworked, under-compensated and lack enough capacity. There is much to be done here.
#ActionForHeroes #WomenHealthWorkers #WorldHealthDay

7/ Third, focusing on evidence, excellence, and equity are three major areas of opportunity. An evidence-based policy-making focus requires data on disease burden and associated determinants, so health-data is also another big area of opportunity.
#WorldHealthDay #Health4All

8/ Fourth, leveraging technology to transform public health is also a major area of opportunity. Modern technology has great potential in bringing efficiency in service delivery and enhancing the reach of the health services.
#Tech4Health @abtassociates #WorldHealthDay

9/ We know of amazing examples in #telemedicine, mother & child tracking, #IVRS, training for FLWs and more. These examples show that technology already available can enhance the quality & efficiency of the services and this should be expanded and scaled up rapidly...
#WHD2021

10/ A final area of opportunity is in health leadership and governance. It is now clear that the next achievements in public health will happen because of intersectoral and interdisciplinary cooperation.
#HealthForAll #WorldHealthDay