Thematic Blogs

November 13, 2025

Paediatric nutrition and Child health

From Cradle to Clinic: Why Early Nutrition holds the Key to India’s NCD Future

India is facing a growing dual crisis of both undernutrition and overnutrition existing side by side. The roots of this problem begin early, in the first 1,000 days of life, when nutrition shapes future health outcomes. As families shift toward processed foods and more sedentary routines, obesity is no longer limited to the wealthy, while cultural norms continue to equate plumpness with prosperity. The result is rising risk of metabolic diseases and mental health challenges among children. Tackling this requires integrating early nutrition and NCD prevention into national programs, regulating junk-food marketing, and strengthening food literacy across families and schools. Good nutrition early on isn’t just about preventing disease; it’s about securing a healthier, brighter future for every child.

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October 18, 2025

Mind the Gap

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Protein and India’s Nutrition Crisis

India’s persistent malnutrition burden is closely tied to a widespread protein deficiency, driven by affordability, cultural preferences, and cereal-dominant diets. Nearly 40% of Indians consume less protein than required, despite its critical role in child growth, maternal health, and overall wellbeing. Addressing this gap demands systemic reform, expanding nutrition programs beyond cereals, investing in supply chains for diverse protein sources, and embedding nutrition literacy through public education. Positioning protein within a broader nutrition agenda is essential for improved health outcomes.

July 29, 2025

Digital Health and Telemedicine in India

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Adapting to a Post-Pandemic World

The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point for India’s digital health ecosystem. With limited mobility and increasing pressure on healthcare services, virtual care solutions such as telemedicine, e-pharmacies, and app-based monitoring became important tools for ensuring continued access to care. Platforms like eSanjeevani saw rapid growth, supported by government initiatives like the National Digital Health Mission.1 The digital health sector also attracted increased investment, projected to rise from USD 2.6 billion in 2022 to USD 11.2 billion by 2027.

June 8, 2025

Bridging the Gap

Tools for achieving equity in rural health systems strengthening

A healthcare system's strength is determined by its capacity to meet the needs of all population groups. In rural India, however, this strength is often undermined by inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of healthcare professionals, and significant financial barriers, leading to delayed or denied critical care access. Currently, initiatives like the National Health Mission are working to improve infrastructure, but the gaps persist. Strengthening health systems goes beyond building more hospitals or recruiting additional doctors. It requires creating a well-coordinated and responsive system that delivers timely, quality care tailored to the specific socio-economic and geographic realities of rural communities. This includes designing services that are financially accessible, culturally appropriate, and logistically feasible for populations that may lack transportation, digital access, or health literacy. Mobile health units, community-based health insurance models, and AI-powered disease surveillance tools have emerged as promising approaches to reach remote and underserved areas more effectively.

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April 7, 2025

Bridging the Gap

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Building Gender-Responsive Health Care Systems in India

A health care system is only as strong as the people who run it. Yet, for many female health care professionals, unsafe workplaces, inadequate facilities, and systemic barriers make it harder to provide quality care. A strong health care system must be safe, inclusive, and accessible for all. Gender-responsive infrastructure plays a critical role in ensuring that patients receive dignified care and that health care professionals work in secure environments. Yet, in many health care settings across India, gender disparities in infrastructure continue to create barriers for both those seeking care and those providing it. Without a deliberate shift toward health care infrastructure that is gender equitable and responsive, health care spaces will continue to perpetuate inequities rather than bridging them.

January 17, 2025

Fixing India’s Healthcare Spending

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Making Every Rupee Count

India is on a mission to provide equitable and accessible healthcare to its 1.4 billion people. With ambitious schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission (NHM), the government has taken significant steps to improve public health. Yet, a glaring reality persists: healthcare spending in India remains inefficient, and millions of rupees go underutilized […]