The power of collaboration

The story of India’s fight against polio and universal vaccination shows the power of efficient primary health care. This legacy is carried forward through the Ayushman Bharat Program and the National Health Policy.

Public-private partnerships that reflect the spirit of Ayushman Bharat can be a stepping stone towards achieving universal health coverage – an emerging national priority for India. Sustained contributions from the private sector can combine government’s drive and community-focused focus with innovation and modern practices.

An entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to improve lives can bring the power of even machine learning and improved diagnostics into everyday medical practice.

Design of care models

Mindful CSR initiatives are taking the transformative touch of primary healthcare to remote corners of the country, be it through telemedicine initiatives or by providing better access to doctors through medically equipped mobile vans.

One of the lessons I learned from our grassroots work in Tamil Nadu is that the best solutions are tailored to the beneficiary’s context, keeping in mind their needs and the environment. Finally, care should not only be efficient, but also compassionate and accessible.

These initiatives have shown us the far-reaching consequences that simple measures can have, such as providing hygiene products in schools or nutritional packages for expectant mothers, young mothers and the elderly. A robust and successful approach addresses not only health but also the diverse realities that shape it, from sanitation and clean water to education.

Here we must take our cue from the World Health Organization, which recognizes the holistic nature of primary health care. Only by focusing on the nation’s physical, mental and social health care can we advocate for care across the lifespan.

(Ashwin Muthiah is Chairman of AM Foundation, the CSR arm of AM International Singapore, whose member companies include SPIC, MPL, TPL and Greenstar Fertilisers. The views expressed are personal.)