Bhubaneswar: In a first in the country, the Odisha Government has initiated the process for the establishment of “Tribal Health Observatory” for ensuring equity in tribal health in the State.
An MoU was signed between ST & SC Development Department & Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), on Wednesday for establishing the Tribal Health Observatory (TriHOb) in Odisha, a first in the country for ensuring equity in tribal health in Odisha.
The MoU was signed between Ranjana Chopra, Principal Secretary, ST & SC Development Department and Dr. Sanghamita Pati, Director RMRC, in presence of Sushmita Bagchi, Chairperson, Mo School Abhiyan.
TriHOb will establish a repository on the health of tribal population of Odisha. It is designed to be effective and evidence based, policy oriented and a virtually established centre, performing systematic and ongoing observation on disease burden, health seeking behaviour and healthcare delivery system pertaining to tribal health in Odisha.
Sushmita also launched the ‘Odisha Tribal Family Health Survey’ which would be the first of its kind and comprehensive survey among tribal communities in India, where high quality demographic and health data will be made available for informed policy making.
This study will lay the foundation for further longitudinal cohort studies and implementation / policy-oriented research. This study would also provide an idea about the reach of the health programmes and policy interventions and suggest course correction wherever required, officials said.
Compendium on Evidence Based Researches on Sickle Cell Anaemia in India and a Report on Odisha Tribal Serosurvey conducted by the ST & SC Department and RMRC was also released on the occasion.
The compendium is also the first of its kind having all the research in the field of sickle cell in India and this will be useful for all researches, policy makers and health care experts to make any progress in the sickle cell field.
This was followed by a consultative deliberation with presentations by the panelists followed by open house discussion and brainstorming sessions.
The State Level Consultative Workshop will serve as a valuable resource for the stakeholders and increase awareness on Sickle cell disease, build partnership and catalyze the implementation process.