Giving Compass’ Take:

• The WHO monitoring framework recognizes that sound and reliable information is the foundation of decision making across all health system building blocks. Yet, in a country as vast and complex as India, addressing gaps in information is easier said than done, as this India Development Review article explains.

• Can the maternal health, child health, and family planning sectors work together in tandem, sharing information and learning with each other to create a better healthcare system?

• Read more about the health care system in India. 

Looking at where we are today with India’s health system, and the progress we have made thus far, there is still much to do if we are to deliver quality and equitable healthcare to all. In order to strengthen our health system, we need a sound data monitoring strategy that enables decision-makers to accurately track system performance and health progress, evaluate impact, and ensure accountability.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed a framework for health systems, which consists of six core components or ‘building blocks’.

  1. Service Delivery
  2. Health Workforce
  3. Health Information Systems
  4. Access to essential medical products, vaccines, and technologies
  5. Financing
  6. Leadership/Governance

In India, the incorporation of QED (Quality, Equity, Dignity) into the discourse around public health has led to several quality improvement initiatives, largely in the sphere of maternal and child health. While such initiatives may have been beneficial to specific sub-sectors, they have not proven to be a marker of quality control across the health system at large.

Read the full article about India's healthcare Rajiv Tandon at India Development Review