Union Health Secretary Chairs NIPI Annual Meeting, Stresses Convergence For Health Innovation

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Friday chaired the annual meeting of the Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI), with Ambassador of Norway to India May-Elin Stener co-chairing the session. The meeting focused on reviewing and approving the NIPI Progress Report 2025 and the budgeted work plans for 2025–26 under Phase IV of the initiative, said an official from the Union Health Ministry.

Addressing the gathering, Srivastava said, “NIPI displays how convergence of efforts can yield results. The Government of India is also working closely with states and UTs through a whole-of-government approach to achieve desired outcomes.” She highlighted India’s potential as a testing ground for innovative health interventions and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to share best practices for replication in other settings, said the official.

The Health Secretary underscored the significance of the IPHS ODK (Indian Public Health Standards – Open Data Kit) Tool, developed under the initiative, which aids states in quickly identifying gaps and receiving targeted support to meet required standards. She concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s appreciation for the partnership and its commitment to continuing collaboration, he said.

May-Elin Stener noted that 2026 will mark 20 years of the partnership. “There have been innovative and catalytic interventions through this initiative, bringing significant results. The Indian government has invested 26 times the amount Norway spent under NIPI, highlighting the importance given to this collaboration,” she said. Stener also emphasized India’s goal of becoming a developed country, visible in ground-level health initiatives, and praised the progress in the health sector since the partnership began in 2006.

Key deliverables of NIPI, including the IPHS ODK Toolkit, establishment of an Innovation Hub within NHM, development of a Decision Support System (DSS) for Ayushman Arogya Mandir services, Pre-Pregnancy Care Model, ‘Self-Care’ Cervical Cancer Screening Model, and Integrated Home-Based Care for Newborns and Children (HBNCC) Guidelines, were presented along with their outcomes, informed the official.

NIPI, a collaboration between the Governments of Norway and India, supports India’s National Health Mission in Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The initiative, now in its fourth phase, has facilitated health innovations, knowledge generation, and evidence-based health system strengthening, he said.

Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary, and Meera Srivastava, Joint Secretary, both from Union Health Ministry, Dr. Ashfaq Bhat, Program Director, NIPI, Are Nagoda, Counsellor, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Undis Vatvedt Singh, Senior Advisor, Royal Norwegian Embassy, principal health secretaries and mission directors of NIPI-supported states, and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were among those who attended the meeting.