Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava today chaired the annual meeting of the Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI) held in New Delhi. Ambassador of Norway to India, May-Elin Stener co-chaired the meeting. The meeting aimed at reviewing and approving the NIPI Progress Report of this year and the budgeted work plans for next year under phase four of the initiative. Addressing the occasion, Mrs Srivastava stated that NIPI displays convergence of efforts is critical in improving healthcare outcomes. She added that the Government of India is committed to a whole-of-government approach for achieving desired outcomes.

She also highlighted the significance of the Indian Public Health Standards, an Open Data Kit Tool, developed under the initiative, which helps states to identify gaps and receive targeted support to achieve the required standards. She reaffirmed the Union Health Ministry’s commitment to continuing the collaboration. The Norway India Partnership Initiative is based on an agreement between Governments of Norway and India to collaborate towards achieving India’s National Health Policy and Sustainable Development Goals. It currently works with Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on maternal, newborn and child health outcomes.