Envisioning a Healthcare Council for India, Insights from Ravi Bhatnagar, Director of External Affairs & Partnerships at SOA, Reckitt.
NEW DELHI (India CSR): On August 15, Independence Day, the NDTV-Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign celebrated its nine-year milestone. The event, graced by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, and distinguished doctors who are recipients of the Padma awards, was a 2-hour special show. It honored the stalwarts of the healthcare sector, individuals who have devoted themselves to the service of others and have been honored with the esteemed Padma Awards.
Journey and Achievements of the Campaign
Ravi Bhatnagar, Director of External Affairs & Partnerships at SOA, Reckitt, joined the panel discussing the campaign’s achievements. He remarked on his long-standing association, saying, “
This is my 9th season with the campaign.” Bhatnagar further detailed, “We started with the bus that used to go to around 30 cities across India, covering mere 75 villages. From there to the journey of covering all 100 percent aspirational districts in India, we have achieved a lot.
Hygiene Play Parks
“Today, we are providing Hygiene Play Parks in various regions… making sure that every school child in a public setting has access to a hygiene curriculum… We are also focusing on reaching out to the tribal and indigenous populations, such as Siddi tribes.”, he added.
The Vision: Health for All
Ravi Bhatnagar emphasized the core philosophy of the campaign, stating, “The campaign believes in the thought of leaving no one behind and achieving the goal of Lakshya Sampoorn Swasthya Ka or Health For All.”
He further asserted, “We believe a lot of work has to be done with the indigenous population, especially in terms of neonatal care, ensuring the first 1000 days for both mother and child are prioritized. In Rajasthan, we are collaborating with tribes like Kalbelia, who are nomads, to guarantee that last mile healthcare reaches them.”
Addressing Climate Change and Education
Bhatnagar, while discussing the campaign’s new initiative and its commitment to addressing climate change, stated, “One significant step we’ve taken is incorporating education about climate change for children. Together with NDTV, we’ve launched the inaugural Climate Resilient School in Uttarakhand.”
Need of Climate Resilient Schools
Reflecting on recent events, he added, “We’ve seen the impacts in places like Himachal and other hilly areas in the news due to persistent rains. As a result, we’re developing Climate Resilient Schools and have plans to soon encompass all the char dhams – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri.”
One Health
On the involvement of the government, he shared, “The Uttarakhand government is deeply engaged and has assured that once this model proves successful, they’ll collaborate with us to establish Climate Resilient Schools throughout India. Our responsibility extends beyond hygiene; we’re dedicated to the broader ‘One Health’ concept.”
Recap of Banega Swasth India’s Evolution
Bhatnagar took a moment to look back at the Banega Swasth India campaign’s progress. He commented, “From the inception in Season 1 to our current Season 9, there’s been a remarkable journey.”
India of Hygiene Index
He went on to detail, “In the first season, we introduced the idea of a ‘Hygiene Index‘. Beginning our mission in just one city, we gradually expanded our reach to 2, then 5, and eventually to 25 cities. This journey culminated in the Hygiene Index becoming public. Presently, it’s a core component of the ‘Swachh Survekshan‘, influencing city rankings all over India.”
The Dream of a Healthcare Council for India
Discussing aspirations for the future, Bhatnagar shared, “Looking ahead to our upcoming seasons, there’s a particular goal on our wishlist.”
He emphasized, “We are now setting our sights on establishing a Healthcare Council in India, something we currently lack. Given that we are a nation of 1.4 billion people, I believe it’s an invaluable opportunity for India. It’s high time we formed a think tank, drawing from the expertise of our numerous accomplished doctors, to steer us towards the objective of ‘One Health And One Planet’.”
Global Perspectives and the Need for Research
Highlighting the critical need for a health council, Ravi Bhatnagar reflected, “A few years ago, I took the initiative to establish the Reckitt Global Institute in London. At that time, we were fortunate to have the expertise of Dr. Randeep Guleria from AIIMS, along with esteemed doctors from across the globe.”
He went on to add, “This global council was instrumental, and in collaboration with a renowned London university, we recently unveiled a study underscoring the impact of climate change on Diarrhoea. The revelations from our study underscored that Diarrhoea isn’t solely a byproduct of increased flooding or droughts.”
Expressing his ambition, he shared, “My vision is to establish a health council right here in India, tailored for our nation’s needs. The rationale is clear: the more councils of this nature we have, the better our chances of delivering healthcare to the remotest corners, finding innovative solutions to challenges, and ultimately ensuring health for every citizen.”
The Importance of Ground-level Research
Putting emphasis on the significance of research, Bhatnagar remarked, “It’s pivotal for India to channel more investments into research.”
As he shared insights on the future trajectory for the Banega Swasth India campaign, he noted, “A particular area we need to delve deeper into is Ethnography research, a qualitative approach predominantly utilized in social and behavioral sciences.”
Expanding on the idea, he said, “Unless we immerse our researchers in the very settings we aim to understand, our insights will be limited. Grasping the intricacies and operational nuances of all regions is crucial. And in my perspective, the foundation of a health council in India could very well be the solution that addresses these challenges at a broader scale.”
About the Author
This article was written by Rusen Kumar, a well-known CSR journalist in India. He is the founder and managing editor of India CSR Network, a leading media network for corporate responsibility and sustainability in India. He is also the author of several books on CSR, sustainability and social issues.
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