Maharashtra Health Department Forges Strategic Alliance with AIIMS Nagpur and UNICEF to Combat Childhood Non-Communicable Diseases
In a significant move to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among children, the State Public Health Department of Maharashtra formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur on Thursday. This partnership, bolstered by strategic and technical support from UNICEF Maharashtra, aims to strengthen the prevention and management of childhood NCDs across the state.
High-Level Signing Ceremony Marks Collaborative Effort
The MoU was signed in Nagpur in the presence of key dignitaries, including Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, MLA Nana Patole, and Maharashtra UNICEF Chief Sanjay Singh. This collaboration establishes a systems-based partnership designed to integrate clinical expertise with public health delivery, creating scalable models of care for vulnerable populations.
Addressing the Rising Burden of Childhood NCDs in India
Evidence from India indicates a concerning increase in childhood NCDs such as obesity, type 1 diabetes, and asthma, with early onset leading to severe long-term health and economic consequences. To counter this trend, the initiative will focus on several key components:
- Development of evidence-based Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) for six priority childhood NCDs: Type 1 diabetes, asthma, obesity, mental health conditions, congenital heart disease, and sickle cell disease.
- Establishment of pediatric NCD clinics across 10 district hospitals to enhance accessibility and specialized care.
- Capacity building of public health functionaries in pilot districts through training and resource allocation.
- Strengthening of community-level screening and referral systems to ensure early detection and timely intervention.
Roles and Strategic Support in the Partnership
Under this agreement, AIIMS Nagpur will serve as a technical center of excellence, leveraging its clinical expertise to develop and implement effective healthcare solutions. UNICEF Maharashtra will provide strategic support by convening partners, co-developing innovative solutions, and enabling scale within government systems. Dr. Prashant Joshi, Executive Director of AIIMS Nagpur, emphasized that this initiative aligns clinical and public health efforts to create sustainable and equitable care models.
UNICEF Maharashtra played a pivotal role in designing the initiative by bringing together government agencies, technical institutions, and other partners, with a focus on integrated and equitable care. This MoU creates a robust framework for institutionalizing childhood NCD care within public health systems, expanding Maharashtra's response to emerging child health priorities and setting a precedent for other regions to follow.
