Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Digital health tech is key to achieving health SDGs

The time to act is now. It is in our collective interest that digital health technologies are targeted to those countries and populations that are furthest behind.

Universal eye care is not just aspirational, it is an achievable goal

Globally, the economic cost of blindness and moderate to severe vision impairment, in 2020 was estimated to be $411 billion, the majority borne by low- and lower middle-income countries

India’s G20 stint must push for health security

For health and humanity, India’s G20 presidency holds immense potential — potential that WHO will do all it can to support. As the theme of India’s G20 presidency observes, we are one family, with just one world and one future — Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

Act together, act now to end gender violence

For a South-East Asia Region in which the health and well-being of all women and girls is adequately protected, promoted and supported, we must act together and act now.

Devise right strategies to contain monkeypox

With the right strategies, this multi-country outbreak can be stopped — globally, and in the region. Towards that goal, the WHO will continue to support all countries of the region, ensuring a response that is coordinated, and which actively combats stigma and protects the vulnerable

Yoga: A powerful tool to improve health

On the International Day of Yoga, WHO is privileged to celebrate the physical and mental health benefits of yoga and highlight its contributions to lifelong health and well-being, promoting healthier populations, and a healthier, more equitable and sustainable region and the world

To develop equitably, address five priorities

The decisions we make now can either “lock in” development patterns that do permanent and escalating damage to the ecological systems, or they can promote a healthier, fairer, and greener world

Build back better to achieve universal health care

Strong PHC services that are publicly financed help mitigate the social and economic determinants of health and reduce out-of-pocket costs

WHO stands with a fairer, healthier, self-reliant, secure India for all

Increased investments in human resources for health will complement PMABHIM's focus and drive while at the same time promote additional social and economic benefits

The digital revolution in Indian health care

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to help achieve UHC in India by implementing the digital building blocks required for health care, and by making those blocks accessible as digital public goods for all

Sustaining and scaling up the response to Covid is key to saving lives

Populations are exhausted. For almost 18 months, they have done everything they can to protect themselves and their loved ones. And, yet, we are still very much in the acute phase of this pandemic

The equitable and efficient deployment of vaccines

Complacency must not set in. Although vaccine manufacturing has already started, reaching sufficient availability will take time. In a crisis such as this, there are no silver bullets

A ‘new normal’ is in the offing. Ensure a balance| Analysis

Prioritise controlling the spread of Covid-19, strengthening health services, and supporting each other to stay healthy

How India can eliminate measles, protect its children

A favourable policy environment to vaccinate children and older age groups will help the country fight the disease.

Ayushman Bharat reforms are timely and ambitious, but need effective implementation

The poor and vulnerable stand to benefit, and to do so significantly. Whether for a struggling farmer with an injury; a roadside fruit seller who has suffered a stroke; or a family whose child has life-threatening pneumonia, the PMJAY should increase the access and affordability of potentially life-saving hospital care. That is why PMJAY is a crucial part of the now well-known set of Ayushman Bharat reforms

Efforts to enhance access to safe water, sanitation in India paying off

Thanks to a range of long-term initiatives that have been intensified, water and sanitation are now the seventh-largest cause of disease, accounting for around 5% of the country’s disease burden.

Plain packaging will lessen the use of tobacco

Packaging laws for tobacco products can’t be restricted to rich nations

A law to ensure plain packaging of tobacco products will increase economic productivity and decrease medical costs.

Ratification of WHO protocol a must to stop illicit tobacco trade

All member states need to speed up their process of ratifying or acceding to the protocol. Ratification of the protocol is necessary to respond to the financial, legal and health impacts of the illicit trade in tobacco products.

Science alone cannot end HIV/AIDS

For an AIDS-free world, we need to blend the biomedical and social-behavioural interventions that ensure universal access to prevention and care of HIV in a health and social system that respects human rights, sexual diversity and gender equity.