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What are India’s Achievements with Respect to SDG3?

By admin 28 Feb 2023

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Universal Health

SDG3

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 S M Sehgal Foundation

e-Poshan Kendra

Conclusion

FAQs

Universal health is key to the economic and social progress of society in general. The concept

is not driven by considerations of boundaries; rather it helps to ensure that all human beings,

irrespective of their income, have access to quality health services. This effort is dependent on

an efficient health system that provides need-based, on-demand services.

Universal health for all is important as it provides the basis of a robust society that can lead to:

1. Better health outcomes, especially for marginalized populations.

2. Reduction in poverty through reduced spending on healthcare.

3. Economic prosperity through better health, and thereby a more productive population.

4. Equality through the reduction in health inequities regardless of income or social status.

5. Robust health systems improve the quality of care, creating a multiplier effect on the

efficiency of the system itself.

Universal healthcare ensures that all human beings, irrespective of their income, have

access to quality health services.

THE BACKGROUND OF SDG3

The United Nations introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, realizing

the need for a peaceful and inclusive world. The SDGs are a universal call to end poverty and

protect the planet in a peaceful and prosperous environment. The 17 goals are interdependent

and have specific targets and indicators.

SDG 3 is a global goal that look to ensure health and promote well-being for everyone. This is

referred to as the “Health and Well-being” goal.

SDG 3 focuses on good health and well-being as essential for individuals, communities, and

nations to enable everyone to thrive and achieve their potential. The idea behind SDG 3 is

that good health is a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for sustainable development.

Therefore, investing in health and well-being will achieve increased productivity, economic

growth, and social stability. This in turn will help to reduce poverty reduction and the promote

an equitable society.

The specific objectives of SDG 3:

Reduce the mortality rate from noncommunicable diseases.

Reduce communicable diseases.

Improve mental health and well-being and prevent substance abuse.

Create and improve health systems and access to essential medicines and vaccines.

Improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the

elderly.

Mitigate the impact of health emergencies such as pandemics and natural disasters.

Some important specific targets of SDG 3 include reducing maternal and child mortality,

tackling infectious diseases, and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health

and rights. SDG 3 also promotes access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services such

as family planning and information through the integration of reproductive health into national

programs.

SDG 3 addresses the social factors of health such as poverty, gender inequality,

education, and environmental factors.

SDG-3 AND THE INDIAN STORY

SDG 3 is particularly important for India, given the challenges faced by its large and diverse
population. Despite significant economic progress, India has faced challenges of equity and

lack of access to quality health services, particularly in rural areas. With a rise in

noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, the need to address

health as a determinant of progress was strongly felt. Due to an archaic patriarchal society,

maternal and child health was also often neglected. Thus it was important for policymakers to

look at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, and improve nutrition and nutritional

deficiencies among children and women.

India has come a long way in achieving SDG 3. Some of the path-breaking initiatives taken by

the government in this regard:

National Health Mission (NHM). The NHM aims to improve availability and access to

affordable and quality healthcare, particularly for those residing in rural areas, the poor,

women, and children; providing public health services in the areas of women’s health, child

health, water, sanitation and hygiene, immunization; and nutrition. The NHM created a set

of specific targets based on indicators as an important step toward achieving SDG 3.

Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. This flagship health insurance scheme was

launched to provide free healthcare services to the poor and underprivileged sections of

society. The ultimately result will be coverage of medical treatment for serious illnesses for

about 500 million people.

National Programme for Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE). The objective of

NPHCE is to provide separate, specialized, and comprehensive healthcare to the elderly

including outreach services.

Immunization. India has made considerable progress in immunizing its population against

various diseases, including measles, polio, and tetanus. The COVID 19 immunization

program was the largest in the world and covered more than 90 percent of the population

in a very short time. Undoubtedly, India has made significant progress in this area as part

of its efforts to achieve SDG 3.

Malaria eradication. India accounted for almost 3 percent of the global malaria burden

according to the World Malaria report in 2019. India has made major progress in recent

years in reducing malaria incidence and deaths. There has been a steady decline in the

estimated malaria cases with a registered reduction of 24 percent in 2017 compared to

2016, and 28 percent in 2018 compared to 2017.

 Tobacco abuse. Tobacco use is one of the biggest public health threats in India. It leads to

lost lives and has major social and economic costs. The Indian Government has taken

several measures to control the use of tobacco Such as the National Tobacco Control

Program (NTCP), which aims at reducing tobacco use in India, using measures such as

higher taxation, advertising restrictions, health warnings, and cessation services.

Despite significant economic progress, India has faced challenges of equity and lack of

access to quality health services, particularly in rural areas.

PROMOTING HEALTH AWARENESS

S M Sehgal Foundation (Sehgal Foundation), a sustainable rural development NGO in India,

has worked since 1999 to improve the quality of life in rural communities in India. As a rural

development NGO, S M Sehgal Foundation has a skilled and dedicated team that creates

sustainable programs to address rural India’s most pressing needs: S M Sehgal Foundation

program areas are Water Management; Agriculture Development; Local Participation and

Sustainability; Transform Lives one school at a time, and Outreach for Development. The

programs are supported by a skilled research team that engages in participatory research,

impact assessment, and interactive dialogues to determine informed actions to achieve

sustainable results.

ESTABLISHMENT OF E-POSHAN KENDRA: A MESSAGE FOR A HEALTHY

LIFESTYLE

In June 2021, S M Sehgal Foundation began the implementation of a CSR-supported

partnership initiative in district Nuh, Haryana. This integrated village development project

works on water, education, health, sanitation, nutrition, and agriculture. The project included

the setup of a Village Development Committee (VDC) in the project village to oversee the

initiatives and sustain them for the future.

In October 2021, the project team initiated the endeavor to transform a choupal into an E-

Poshan Kendra (E-nutrition center).

By January 2022, the choupal transformation was completed. Solar panels were installed in

the E-Poshan Kendra for a sustainable source of energy. Community women became keenly

interested in the E-Poshan Kendra and started regularly attending the training sessions held

there on nutrition and a balanced diet.

Gradually the E-Poshan Kendra became a hub of information provision on good nutrition

practices, sanitation, as well as on key government services. E-Poshan Kendra provides

structured training to village women, and showcases thematic films and inspirational stories on

sanitation and nutrition. Vaccination drives for village children were also organized in this

center.

A choupal was transformed into an E-Poshan Kendra in January 2022. Community

women became keenly interested in the E-Poshan Kendra and began attending the

regular training sessions held here on nutrition and a balanced diet.

THE WAY FORWARD

India faces several challenges in achieving SDGs.

Insufficient funding is a major challenge to achieving SDG 3. Robust health systems require

sustained investment to ensure that they are well equipped to deliver quality healthcare

services to all. Addressing the challenges requires a comprehensive approach involving health,

education, finance, and the environment.

Government initiatives, sufficient funding, and effective Public-Private Partnerships are critical

to achieving SDG 3 and ensuring that all people enjoy the benefits of quality healthcare,

health, and well-being.

Going forward, achieving SDG 3 in India is essential for better health and well-being and for

removing disparities. This will help build a sustainable and equitable society. The vision of

becoming a true economic superpower will be achieved once India’s population is healthy.

Government initiatives, sufficient funding, and effective public-private partnerships are

critical to achieving SDG 3 and ensuring that all people enjoy the benefits of quality
 healthcare, health, and well-being.

FAQs

What is SDG 3? a

What are the objectives of SDG 3? a

What were the obstacles being faced by India in achieving SDG 3? a

How has India come a long way toward achieving Sustainable a

Development Goal SDG 3?

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