Bihar Government Extends Collaboration with Gates Foundation to Enhance Health and Development Outcomes
Patna: In a significant move to bolster public health and development initiatives, the Bihar government officially renewed its Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Friday. This renewal secures an additional five years of technical support aimed at strengthening state systems, sustaining recent gains, and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030.
Key Signatories and Historical Context
The MoC was signed in a formal ceremony attended by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Health Minister Mangal Pandey. Representing the Bihar government, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit executed the agreement, while Archana Vyas, India Director of the Gates Foundation, signed on behalf of the foundation. This partnership, which began in 2010, has been renewed multiple times over the past 15 years, highlighting a long-standing commitment to collaborative efforts in health and development.
Government's Vision and Strategic Goals
Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary emphasized the state's dedication to improving living standards, stating that the renewed cooperation will expedite Bihar's journey towards achieving SDG targets by 2030. He welcomed the continued technical expertise from the Gates Foundation, underscoring its role in driving sustainable progress.
Health Minister Mangal Pandey highlighted notable achievements, including reductions in maternal and infant mortality since 2011. He explained that the renewed MoC aims to institutionalize these gains and ensure consistent improvements in the coming years. Pandey detailed specific health indicators, noting that Bihar's maternal mortality ratio has declined to 104, with a phased target to reduce it to 70 in alignment with SDG 2030. He also pointed to institutional deliveries reaching 76.2% and immunization coverage at 93%, citing these as evidence of a more robust health system. Pandey proudly mentioned that Bihar ranks number one nationally on several health parameters.
Focus Areas and Implementation Strategies
The partnership will focus on strengthening technical capacity, enhancing the quality and reach of health services, and supporting effective implementation in remote areas. Pandey reiterated the government's goal of making quality health services accessible to every family and further solidifying Bihar's position among leading states in health performance.
Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit outlined that the cooperation extends beyond program implementation to include institutional capacity building and system strengthening. This holistic approach aims to create sustainable frameworks for long-term development.
Gates Foundation's Commitment and Broader Impact
Archana Vyas, India Director of the Gates Foundation, affirmed the foundation's commitment to working with Bihar to improve health and nutrition outcomes, reduce disease burden and poverty, and strengthen access to quality services and livelihood opportunities. The foundation will provide technical support to various departments, including health, agriculture, and rural development, through collaborative partnerships with other organizations.
High-Level Attendance and Future Prospects
The signing event was attended by senior officials from the Bihar government, such as Pankaj Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Rural Development Department; Lokesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Health Department; Narmadeshwar Lal, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department; Bandana Preyashi, Secretary of the Social Welfare Department; Himanshu Sharma, CEO of Jeevika; Tshering Y Bhutia, Special Secretary of the Health Department; and Amit Pandey, Executive Director of the State Health Society. Representatives from the Gates Foundation were also present, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the initiative.
With the new term effective from April this year, this renewed partnership is poised to drive significant advancements in Bihar's health and development landscape, aligning with global SDG objectives and fostering a brighter future for the state's residents.
