Events of CHP
Patna, April 4. Hon’ble Health Minister of Bihar, Mr. Mangal Pandey released seven “working papers” published by The Centre for Health Policy (CHP) at Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI), Patna based on research work completed from August 2017 to January 2018. Officials from health department of Bihar, representatives of development partners working in health sector and distinguished member of academia attended this function. Dr. Shaibal Gupta, Member Secretary, ADRI welcomed the guests and elaborated about the vision and mission behind setting up of CHP. He emphasized that CHP has strong role to play in future health policy direction for state of Bihar. Dr. Basudeb Guha-Khasnobis, Executive Director of CHP briefly explained the findings of seven research papers. The work was done with long-term vision of CHP to generate a core set of research inputs which can contribute significantly in the development of a comprehensive State Health Policy for Bihar. In Working paper 1, a thorough analysis of morbidity and health seeking behaviour in Bihar – looking at the changes which occurred during 2004-14 were done.Working paper 2, provides a comprehensive understanding of the district-wise demographic profile of the state, including some future projections.Working paper 3 argues that interventions to improve people’s health care by all can produce much better results if the state can assume a stronger stewardship role.The need for government’s regulation of private health care system for achieving better outcome were explicitly emphasized. Working Paper 4 analyzed the causes behind unmet need for family planning for currently married women of reproductive age and found that male involvement was a critical area that needs attention. Working Paper 5 addressed the predictors of caesarean section in Bihar.Working Paper 6 brings to the fore mental illness as an emerging non-communicable disease challenge.Working Paper 7 examines the use of technology in healthcare, which has become increasingly an information-driven domain.
Mr. Debarshi Bhattacharya from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation explained the idea behind supporting to set up of a Bihar centric health policy think tank. Dr. Prabhat P Ghosh, Director ADRI emphasized the more efficient use of available resources and need for conducting diagnostic health research.
In his remarks, Hon’ble Health Minister Mr. Mangal Pandey congratulated ADRI for setting up the Centre for Health Policy and expressed his expectation to continue to receive policy relevant research input for long term state health policy. He emphasized setting up of targets and suggest measures to achieve the same. He also explained the initiatives being taken by state government to improve public health care system in Bihar. He appreciated that seven working papers of CHP addressed the fundamental issues of health.
Dr. Sunita Lall from ADRI and the authors of working papers, Dr. Arundhati Char, Dr. Vikash Keshri and Dr. Sanchita Mahapatra were also present. Dr. Arundhati Char proposed vote of thanks.