Gates Foundation signs pact to support in health innovation

The Union ministry of health and family welfare signed on a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), to provide support in the field of health-related innovations.

Under the MOC, Gates Foundation will provide:

• Support the ministry?s work towards strengthening the primary health aspects, such as improving nutrition services, increasing the immunization reach and reducing maternal and child mortality.
• Program design support, technical and management through its aliened and other partners.
• Increase access to knowledge regarding family planning among younger women in rural areas and reduce the burden of select infectious diseases such as Visceral Leishmaniasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, and Tuberculosis.
• Strengthening of monitoring systems and supply chains, while focusing on management and skills of human resources for health, providing support to the entire health system and ultimately by proper budget utilization.