The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is more than just a number. It is one of the clearest mirrors of a nation’s wellbeing. A high IMR tells a story of unmet health needs, malnutrition, unsafe water and sanitation, and gaps in prenatal and newborn care. Although India’s IMR has fallen to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births, regional disparities persi...

In this short article, Grace Ku reflects upon the Political Declaration and proceedings of the 4th High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York on 25 September. The 4th Political Declaration Almost 6 months prior to the UNGA 4th High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Dise...

Traditionally, medical neutrality has been taken for granted: while remaining devastating for populations and individuals, combat and weapon attacks would stop in front of a hospital, a health centre or an ambulance. Health care facilities and vehicles were ‘bubbles of humanity’ in the midst of violence and inhumanity.  But in the last decad...

The ultimate aim of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is to ensure that every person has access to basic healthcare, anywhere and anytime. The Government of India, along with many health organizations, has relentlessly made efforts over the years to reach this goal through a variety of policies & interventions, but the journey ahead is still long....

Globally, oral health is often overlooked in policy discussions, program planning, and resource allocations, diminishing its perceived importance for overall well-being. Understanding the roots of this neglect requires a fresh lens, employing historical approaches to analyse the invisible forces that have shaped health outcomes over time. Drawin...

Three decades ago, the Lady Health Workers (LHW) program was launched in Pakistan to bring primary health services to communities, a flagship program by the Government of Pakistan. Local women were recruited and trained to provide basic maternal and childcare, family planning, immunizations, and health education at people’s doorsteps, as refle...

“For he who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.” – Owen Arthur The preceded quotation by Owen Arthur, captures the intrinsic link between health and a person’s potential. It highlights health not merely as the absence of disease but as a foundational pillar for a fulfilling and productive life. Internationally, this...

On 29 July 2025 in Brasília, the Government of Brazil, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), opened the 2025 Global Conference on Climate and Health. The event, held just months ahead of COP30 this November, marked the first time a future UNFCCC COP Presidency has led the glob...

Breastfeeding is a proven, cost-effective public health intervention essential for infant survival, nutrition, and development. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for up to two years or more. Despite clear...