World Bank and PHFI will cooperate strategically to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate in Madhya Pradesh

To address and improve maternal and infant mortality rates in Madhya Pradesh, representatives from the World Bank and the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Saloni Sidana, Managing Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) Madhya Pradesh, at the NHM office in Bhopal. During the meeting, they discussed strategies for reducing maternal and infant mortality, upgrading healthcare services, and implementing innovation-based policy initiatives. They also explored opportunities for health data analysis, policy making, capacity building for healthcare staff, and potential collaboration on digital health initiatives.

The World Bank and PHFI teams will provide strategic support to make the health system more effective, strong, and equitable as well as to ensure quality health services for the citizens of the state. Dr. Amith B. Nagaraj (Senior Health Specialist) and Dr. Jigyasa Sharma (Health Economist) from the World Bank and Prof. Himanshu Negandhi (Director, Academics), Prof. Anup Karan (Health Economist), Prof. Rajesh Nair (Director, Projects), Dr. Suhaib Hussain (Health Economist) and Dr. Navya Mishra (Scientist) from PHFI were present in the meeting.

Notably, the World Bank delegation had previously met with Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla to discuss conducting a comprehensive, evidence-based study to provide recommendations for health reforms in Madhya Pradesh under the “Getting Health Reform Right” framework. During the discussion, Deputy Chief Minister Shukla emphasized the urgent need to improve critical health indicators, including the infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal mortality rate (MMR). He stressed the importance of developing strategies that yield quick, impactful improvements in the short term while also offering sustainable, long-term solutions. In this regard, the National Health Mission (NHM), the World Bank, and PHFI will establish a strategic partnership.