New Delhi, October 31
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired the annual meeting of the Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI) held here today. May-Elin Stener, Ambassador of Norway to India, co-chaired the meeting. The meeting aimed to review and approve the NIPI Progress Report 2025 and the budgeted work plans for 2025–26 under Phase IV of the initiative.
Addressing the occasion, Srivastava said, “NIPI displays how convergence of efforts can yield results. GoI is also involved in convergence with states and UTs, through whole-of-government approach for achieving desired outcomes.” Noting that India displays a good testing ground for bringing innovation, the Union Health Secretary underlined India’s commitment to share the best practices under the initiative for replication in other settings.
Srivastava also highlighted the significance of the IPHS ODK (Indian Public Health Standards – Open Data Kit) Tool, developed under the initiative which facilitate assessments and help states quickly identify gaps and receive targeted support to achieve the required standards. She concluded her address by reaffirming the Union Health Ministry’s appreciation for this partnership and its commitment to continuing the collaboration.
Speaking on the occasion, May-Elin Stener highlighted that next year will mark 20 years of this partnership. She stated that there have been innovative and catalytic interventions through this partnership which has helped in bringing significant results. Stener noted that the Indian government has invested 26 times the amount Norway spent under this initiative which highlights the importance being given to this collaboration. “India has a very definitive goal of being a developed country and this is visible in the work being done at the ground level. Commitment to health services is very important for the development of Indian health services. There have been significant developments in the health sector in India since this partnership started in 2006”, she stated.
