The George Institute for Global Health India recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary attended by a large range of stakeholders in healthcare research, policy, communication and delivery.

A highlight of the event was an Oration delivered by Prof. K. Srinath Reddy, President of the Public Health Foundation of India. Giving a sweeping overview of the evolution cardiovascular and public health research in India over 50 years, and using examples from the work of several researchers, he highlighted the progress made, described the scope of current and upcoming challenges, and reflected on possible solutions.

He felt that fiscal measures, policy decisions, multi-sectoral approach and reshaping the social and environmental determinants to health were going to be critical for healthcare delivery in the future. Transdisciplinary research should provide meaningful information to policymakers, which can in turn influence policy. 

He said “We ought to be able to demonstrate even in a low resource setting on how technology enabled frontline health workers can be competent and effective in detecting the common diseases and risk-factors like blood pressure & diabetes” and went on to add “the role of a health professional is to elucidate as a researcher, educate as a teacher, alleviate as a clinician, advocate ass an activist and agitate as a concerned citizen. We all play one of these roles. If we can collectively discharge all these functions, we think we can minimize death and disability due to various diseases in India.”

Harinder Kaur Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to India, Prof. Ian Jacobs, Vice-Chancellor, University of New South Wales. Dr. Rajani Ved, Executive Director, National Health Systems Resource Centre; K. Sujatha Rao, Former Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India; Dr. Dinesh Arora, Director- Health, Niti Aayog; Dr. Narottam Puri, Medical Advisor, Fortis Healthcare & Advisor Health Services FICCI and Dinesh C Sharma, Managing Editor, India Science Wire were also present.

A number of contemporary issues covering a wide range of topics including patient participation in healthcare, lack of trust between doctors and patients and the role of the private sector were raised during the panel discussion. Important points that emerged was the need to increase conversation amongst members of the public around healthcare related issues, looking for long-term plans for disease prevention, ensuring adequate financing, developing sustainable delivery mechanisms and development of mechanisms to increase popular participation in healthcare planning.

Established ten years ago in 2007, The George Institute for Global Health has been working to generate high-quality evidence and improve the health of millions of Indians by reducing premature deaths and disability from non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke, mental health, and injuries.

The George Institute India partners with over sixty national and international institutions such as the All India institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, University of Hyderabad; and affiliations with University of New South Wales, Oxford and Peking.