WHO (WORLD Health Organization):

PROGRAMMES:
Food Safety

The Food Safety unit (FOS) works with Member States to manage food safety risks and to respond to food
safety incidents and emergencies. Its work is guided by the Regional Framework for Action on Food Safety in
the Western Pacific with the aim of strengthening national food safety systems. This is accomplished by
promoting development and capacity of:

 Food safety policy and legal frameworks

 Risk-based food inspection and enforcement

 Food safety information underpinning evidence

 Food safety incident and emergency response

 Food safety communications and education

To address the challenges posed by the globalization of the food chain and increased trade in food and
agriculture, FOS also promotes greater joint efforts and multistakeholder action within countries and
cooperation among Member States and partners across the Region, as well as strengthening the International
Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN).

Nutrition

Adequate provision of nutrients, beginning in the early stages of life, is fundamental for optimal health and
growth. Effective nutrition policies and actions exist but are often inadequate in the face of the complexity of
the double burden of malnutrition – wasting, stunting, low birth weight and micronutrient deficiencies on one
hand, and overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) on the other. At the same
time, the nutrition landscape is changing with the increased marketing of unhealthy processed food,
urbanization and economic growth.

The World Health Organization (WHO) envisages a world free from all forms of malnutrition, where all people
achieve health and well-being. Actions should target the various causes of malnutrition to achieve sustainable
change, which requires a comprehensive and multisectoral approach. WHO works with partners to support
Member States to develop, implement and monitor effective strategies and plans, advocate for supportive
regulatory actions and policies, and monitor progress of global targets. In the midst of the United Nations
Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016 - 2025, there is further opportunity for sustained and coherent
implementation of policies, programmes and increased investments to eliminate malnutrition in all its
forms, leaving no one behind.  

WHO Health Emergencies Programme

When outbreaks, conflicts or disasters endanger lives anywhere in the Western Pacific Region, the WHO
Health Emergencies Programme is ready to respond. The programme works with countries and partners to
help build the capacities required to rapidly detect, respond to and recover from any emergency health threat.

The programme aims to minimize the health consequences of outbreaks and emergencies by:

 Helping countries to strengthen capacities to detect, prevent and respond to health emergencies;

 Mitigating the risk of high threat diseases and infectious hazards;

 Detecting and assessing emergency health threats and informing public health decision-making;
 Responding rapidly and effectively to emergencies under a coordinated incident management system; and

 Ensuring WHO's work in emergencies is effectively managed, sustainably financed, adequately staffed and
operationally ready to fulfil its mission.

ACTIVITES:
1. Assessing the progress of Health Technology Assessment use

In order to better understand the state of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) processes around the world,
the WHO HTA team monitors the use of HTA, and it’s related principles, through the administration of a global
survey of Member State countries. The survey is also designed to monitor trends in the integration and
development of HTA. The survey also serves as a resource to provide contact information for HTA focal points
and to provide country profiles, which provide a snapshot of the state of HTA processes in a given setting.

World Health Assembly resolution WHA67.23 mandates the WHO Secretariat to assess: 

 HTA methodology

 HTA human resources and institutional capacity

 HTA governance

 links between HTA units and networks with policy authorities

 utilization of HTA results

 interest in impediments to strengthening HTA capacity.

The initial survey was conducted in 2015 after the resolution was approved, with 111 member state
responses. In 2020 and 2021, an update to this survey is being conducted with an additional component
exploring the linkages with the design and contents of Health Benefit Packages. The survey results are
expected to be available in the latter half of 2021. 

2. Strengthening health services with quality

Effective interventions to address the major causes of child morbidity and mortality are well known. Yet,
coverage of these interventions is still very uneven. This is in part due to limited access to services. But even
where utilization is high, poor quality of services means that children do not receive the care they need.

The CHD unit generates evidence about effective interventions and delivery strategies, and works with
countries to improve the access, quality and coverage of essential child health services. Efforts are directed at
primary and secondary health care facilities, as well as community health worker services. Primary health care
is the foundation for reaching children and their families with equity, and universal health coverage is the
policy direction for leaving no child behind.  

The WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care provides a new impetus for strengthening health
services and support children’s health and wellbeing.

3. Implementing health financing reforms in fragile and conflict-affected settings

As part of WHO’s response to increasing fragility globally, WHO has reviewed the evidence, and tailored its
existing recommendation on health financing policy specifically for those working in fragile and conflict-
affected settings (FCAS). The guidance follows the functional approach to health financing, analyzing health
systems in terms of the core functions of revenue raising, pooling of funds, purchasing of services, and policy
on benefit design. It builds on a set of guiding principles but recognizes three deficits which are features of
FCAS; deficit in a government’s capacity and willingness to provide basic services, deficits in a government’s
ability to provide security and stability, and deficits in the legitimacy of government.

Key recommendations include:

 prioritizing Common Goods for Health, including population-based interventions such as disease surveillance,
ensuring safe medication, and water and sanitation systems

 the critical importance of coordinated action in support of domestic systems where possible, or otherwise mirror
critical public functions, to prevent uncoordinated and unsustainable interventions and to strengthen resilience

 the important role of cash and voucher assistance as a complement to supply-side support for the delivery of
essential services, whilst maintaining access free at the point of use.

4. Integrating nutrition into improving the prevention, care and management of HIV/AIDS
The HIV/AIDS epidemic poses an inescapable challenge to the world at large and to Africa in particular. A
massive effort is needed to cushion the impact of the epidemic, and nutritional care and support should
be integral elements of any action taken. An evidence-based response is required to alleviate the overall
burden of malnutrition and to reduce the severity and complexity of the impact that HIV/AIDS and
malnutrition have on each other. Policy-makers and actors in both nutrition and HIV/AIDS have to be
reached. Clear and culturally acceptable messages are required. Innovative partnerships are needed.

Combating HIV/AIDS is the responsibility of a broad coalition of actors including affected communities,
local and national governments, religious and social institutions, United Nations agencies, NGOs, the
private sector and individuals. There is an urgent need for all parties concerned to take concerted action.
For its part, the Department of Nutrition for Health and Development at WHO has facilitated, in
coordination with other WHO departments and key partners, a number of activities to ensure a strategic
comprehensive approach to the epidemic.
 UNICEF:
PROGRAMMES:
1. Strengthening supply chains-
Millions of children die every year from preventable causes. Disease, injury,
environmental hazard and the devastating effects of conflict put children and
adolescents around the world in harm’s way.
But countless deaths can be avoided with access to vaccines, medicines and other
critical health supplies.
For various reasons, existing supplies do not always reach children in need. Lack of
coordination, financing or data keeps some life-saving medicines and products far
from the children they are meant to protect. Especially for children on the move or
affected by crisis, seeking medical care can heighten the risk of injury or death.
Strong supply chains help ensure that essential vaccines, medicines and health
products make it from the warehouse to the most vulnerable children. Every link of
the supply chain counts.
Supply chains must be responsive and resilient – capable of adapting to shifting
demands for routine products while preparing for emergency situations like Ebola
outbreaks. Strong and sustainable supply chains help Governments reduce costs,
stock-outs and waste.

2. Strengthening district health systems

Achieving health results for children requires strong local capacities. Without
effective management to support evidence-based planning, frequent monitoring
and prompt course correction, even the most promising health programmes and
policies can go astray.

Communities need well-trained local practitioners to implement effective,

equitable health interventions. They also need robust data collection and analysis
processes to identify gaps in access, quality and efficiency, and to develop culturally
sensitive solutions that ensure children and adolescents receive the care they
deserve.

As part of UNICEF's work to strengthen health systems, UNICEF has developed an

approach to strengthen district health systems, aimed at improving the capacity of
local teams to drive equitable results for children, adolescents and mothers.

3. Partnerships and governance for nutrition:

Countries with poor nutrition governance have weak or limited policies protecting
maternal and child nutrition – and few accountability mechanisms. Decision-making
may be influenced by political or corporate interests rather than the nutrition
needs and rights of children and women. In these settings, the most vulnerable are
often least able to claim their rights and participate in the food and nutrition
decisions that affect them.

In contrast, good nutrition governance means that countries have the proper
foundations in place – such as strong policies, strategies and programmes – to
support children’s right to nutritious diets and essential nutrition services. To be
effective, good governance must be grounded in evidence about what works to
improve maternal and child nutrition. It also requires governments and their
partners to have the capacity to turn their commitments for nutrition into action.

ACTIVITIES:
UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged
children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere.
Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help
children survive, thrive and fulfill their potential, from early childhood through
adolescence. 
The world’s largest provider of vaccines, we support child health and nutrition, safe
water and sanitation, quality education and skill building, HIV prevention and
treatment for mothers and babies, and the protection of children and adolescents
from violence and exploitation.
Before, during and after humanitarian emergencies, UNICEF is on the ground,
bringing lifesaving help and hope to children and families. Non-political and
impartial, we are never neutral when it comes to defending children’s rights and
safeguarding their lives and futures. 
 SIGHT AND LIFE:
PROGRAMMES:
1. Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE)
Goal
The Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) project aims to increase long-term access
and demand to nutritious foods produced via local and agro-ecological systems in
low- and middle-income countries. Through every step, the project will focus on
promoting women and youth leadership. 
Description
Sight and Life is a member of a new, one-of-a-kind Swiss consortium alongside the
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), ETH Zürich (The Sustainable
Agroecosystem Group, The Sustainable Food Processing Group and The World Food
System Center) and the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA) and
supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Together,
this partnership will implement the NICE project, working across the agricultural,
health and education sectors in order to improve urban diets in low- and middle-
income countries. NICE promotes women and youth leadership and places a strong
emphasis on public-private engagement and income generation.
The world currently faces a major malnutrition crisis, with rapid urbanization
shifting the impact from rural to city populations. This project focuses on secondary
cities, not just national capitals, as they play a central role in the transformation of
food systems. In addition to bringing different sectors together, city authorities can
champion the engagement of women and youth in the production, selling,
preparation and promotion of healthy foods and in facilitating access to the most
vulnerable city populations.
NICE will work in six “front-runner” secondary cities based in Kenya, Rwanda and
Bangladesh alongside all relevant local stakeholders and global stakeholders
supportive of resilient urban food systems, in the pursuit of “nutrition vital
cities”. With improved policies and advocacy for healthy diets, combined with an
enabling environment for farmers (peri-urban) and small and medium enterprises
(SMEs), local municipalities will sustainably link different systems for the well-being
of their inhabitants.
Locally led city launches took place between September and October 2021 in
Bungoma and Busia in Kenya, followed by launches in the Rwandan cities of Rubavu
and Rusizi, and in Dinajpur and Rangpur in Bangladesh. The Swiss partners will work
closely with city authorities, local businesses, markets and civil society to create
healthier urban food systems. The front-runner cities will also have the opportunity
to exchange with cities like Geneva, Lausanne, Basel and Zürich, which are
innovating to confront food systems challenges in Switzerland.
At Sight and Life, we are taking the lead on the implementation science of all
demand generation activities in the three countries, applying our expertise as a
 global nutrition think tank which delivers science-based solutions to vulnerable
populations.
Furthermore, we act as the project coordinator for all NICE project activities in
Rwanda. Our experience in translating nutrition science, fostering public private
partnerships for improved nutrition and use of consumer insights to develop viable
social business models are central to our current and future contributions in these
roles. 
“SDC believes that cities play a key role in food systems transformation towards a
more sustainable consumption and production, addressing malnutrition of
vulnerable people while transforming their local food systems to be more
resilient.” says Carmen Thönnissen, Co-Lead Global Programme Food Security, SDC.
“Switzerland contributes to NICE as we believe the project will be a way to support
the implementation of the Committee on World Food Security Voluntary Guidelines
on Food Systems for Nutrition. We also hope that insights gained from NICE will be
shared with the UN Food System Summit’s Coalition “Healthy Diets from
Sustainable Food Systems” supported by Switzerland.”

2. Improving Nutrition. Improving Lifes.

Provide leadership on the workstream to ensure that the funds are being used on
activities that lead to greater demand for fortified foods.
Sight and Life is an active member of the DSM-World Food Programme (WFP)
partnership, entitled “Improving Nutrition – Improving Lives”. Created in 2007, the
partnership has evolved from a product-development collaboration to one focused
on creating systemic change by enhancing the supply and understanding demand
for nutritious foods in diverse communities around the world. Currently, the
partnership focuses on rice fortification and strengthening demand for nutrient
adequate diets through WFP’s food assistance programs. Sight and Life provides
the partnership with scientific expertise in areas that include rice fortification,
advocacy, communication and capacity building.
By the end of 2017, the partnership had reached 39.4 million people with
nutritionally improved products, rising from an initial 20.7 million individuals in
2013. Over the years, the partnership has shown itself to be a remarkably effective
model for disseminating innovation, as exemplified by the rapid spread of Rice
Fortification (RF). This model has also been applied to the development of national
SBNs and, to a lesser extent, food-labeling programs. Meanwhile, the partnership’s
extensive joint advocacy and research efforts have helped advance global
understanding of the scope and impact of micronutrient deficiencies, as well as
awareness of interventions to prevent and treat them.

3. Nutrition Kiosk
Goal
The Nutrition Kiosk, a one-stop shop located in shared spaces such as offices and
clinics, aims to improve the nutrition status of vulnerable populations through an
easily accessible portfolio of products, information, and services to assist women
and children in meeting their nutrition needs.
Description
Designed by Sight and Life, the Nutrition Kiosk is an innovative and customizable
solution with the potential to create demand for good nutrition in low-resource
settings by providing both services and products. The Nutrition Kiosk provides easy
access to nutritional information, advice, as well as nutritious whole foods, fortified
foods and micronutrient supplements at points in the community where they are
most needed. 
From a shelf that stores informative pamphlets and brochures to a mobile cart with
display options for healthy foods, the Nutrition Kiosk offers a cost-effective and
flexible format for partnering with social enterprises.
Design Development 
Recognizing our unique approach to scaling up nutrition, the Dutch charitable fund,
Dioraphte Foundation, awarded Sight and Life a grant to develop nutrition scale-up
proposals in Kenya, Ethiopia and Malawi. Under this grant, our first step entailed
the design process for the Nutrition Kiosk, centering around one simple question:
What if healthy food was as affordable, appetizing and more importantly as
accessible as fried foods? This led to the concept of the Nutrition Kiosk, which we
piloted as a push-cart at the 19th IUFOST World Food Science and Technology
Conference held in Mumbai, India, in 2018. Attendee feedback from public and
private sector representatives confirmed the project’s potential to improve
nutritional status of employees in a diversity of shared spaces in India.
Sight and Life has since expanded partnerships to include collaboration with
ImpACT4Nutrition, a platform designed to engage private sector companies in
contributing to the Poshan Abhiyaan (the National Nutrition Mission) – the Indian
government’s flagship program for a malnutrition-free India by 2022. 
With the aim to create demand for nutritious foods in low and middle-income
groups in India, Sight and Life looked carefully at the urban landscape to decide on
the physical design of the kiosk and find ways to reach the last mile. The kiosk was
developed with its ideal user in mind – the mother. We conducted a meticulous
examination of mothers’ needs, finding that in most cases, she is the primary
individual responsible for buying food and cooking meals for the family. In order to
accommodate the personal needs of this target audience, the kiosk was also
designed to include access to counselors and to mothers’ groups. 
The final design of the cart also accounted for the challenges described by street
vendors, linked with navigating urban landscapes, varying street and crowd
conditions, and creative display options.
ACTIVITIES:
1. China’s Nutrition Activities in Africa
The recent growth of Sino African development co-operation has not been at front
of mind for many western politicians and economic leaders. One reason for the
sparse attention the topic has received could be the lack of available information
and reliable analyses. However, Chinese trade with Africa now outstrips the USA’s
trade. China’s current policy is driven by its desire to secure access to adequate
levels of natural resources and nutrition. Driven by increasing pollution and
population growth – both of which put pressure on Chinese food production –
China’s foreign policy therefore has a strong focus on Africa’s natural and
agricultural resources.

2. Sight and Life Global Research Institute

Goal
This partnership between Sight and Life, Royal DSM NV (prior to 2003, Hoffmann-La
Roche), and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is driven by the
common goal of preventing vitamin A and other micronutrient deficiencies in
impoverished and undernourished regions of the world.
Description
In 2014, the Sight and Life Global Nutrition Research Institute at Johns Hopkins
Bloomberg School of Public Health was founded with the aim of enhancing
research in assessing and preventing micronutrient deficiencies. The binding
element of this partnership is a common vision and sense of purpose, where all
three partners apply their particular resources and expertise to tackle global
malnutrition. 
In order to meet global nutrition challenges, the partnership invests in a new
generation of  students, propelling their  careers in nutrition. Each supports this
vision through the Sight and Life Global Nutrition Research Institute by
strengthening the faculty, doctoral scholarship and academic activities, as well as
providing professional opportunities for students. Discover more about this
partnership in our Action in Brief.
FAO(Food and Agriculture Organization):
PROGRAMMES:
1. Youth for Green and Climate-Resilient Agriculture Programme (YCRA)

In January 2022 FAO and IAAS (International Association of Students in Agricultural

and Related Sciences), in collaboration with YPARD (Young Professionals for
Agricultural Development) launched the Youth for Green and Climate-Resilient
Agriculture Programme (YCRA) to support and promote youth-led projects. The
initiative aims to contibute to capacity development, to give visibility to youth
active in the agriculture sectors and to support the transfer of skills between
generations.

Through a competitive process, youth-led initiatives aligned with green and

climate-resilient agriculture are selected to receive training and mentoring to
support their development. The most promising candidates are invited to
participate in global events such as the International Conference for Youth in
Agriculture (ICYA) and the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

2. Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS):

The concept of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) is distinct

from, and more complex than, a conventional heritage site or protected
area/landscape. A GIAHS is a living, evolving system of human communities in an
intricate relationship with their territory, cultural or agricultural landscape or
biophysical and wider social environment.
The humans and their livelihood activities have continually adapted to the
potentials and constraints of the environment and also shaped the landscape and
the biological environment to different degrees. This has led to an accumulation of
experience over generations, an increasing range and depth of their knowledge
systems and generally, but not necessarily, a complex and diverse range of
livelihood activities, often closely integrated.
The resilience of many GIAHS sites has been developed and adapted to cope with
climatic variability and change, i.e. natural hazards, new technologies and changing
social and political situations, so as to ensure food and livelihood security and
alleviate risk. Dynamic conservation strategies and processes allow maintaining
biodiversity and essential ecosystem services thanks to continuous innovation,
transfer between generations and exchange with other communities and
ecosystems. The wealth and breadth of accumulated knowledge and experience in
the management and use of resources is a globally significant treasure that needs
to be promoted and conserved and, at the same time, allowed to evolve.
3. Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land Use and Agriculture through NDCs and
National Adaptation Plans (SCALA)

FAO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are co-leading a 5-
year programme (2020-2025) called Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land Use and
Agriculture through Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation
Plans (SCALA), funded by the German Ministry of Environment, Nature
Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) through its International Climate Initiative
(IKI).
SCALA responds to the urgent need for increased action to cope with climate
change impacts in the agriculture and land use sectors. The 20 million euro
programme will support at least twelve countries in Africa, Asia and Latin
America to build adaptive capacity and to implement low emission priorities.
Country support includes strengthening policies, adopting innovative approaches to
climate change adaptation and mitigation, removing barriers related to information
gaps, governance, finance, gender mainstreaming and integrated monitoring and
reporting. To achieve this shift, the programme will engage the private sector and
key national institutions.
SCALA supports countries to develop the capacity to own and lead the process to
meet targets set out in their National Adaptation Plans and nationally determined
contributions under the Paris Agreement, and to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals. The SCALA initiative builds on another FAO-UNDP led
programme, Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans (2015-2020)
which is currently phasing out.

ACTIVITIES:
1. Technical assistance to World Bank funded operations on the topic of
livestock and climate change:

The project supports three World Bank operations in Kenya, Niger and
the 5 other Sahelian countries of Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina
Faso and Chad. It aims to build technical capacities of World Bank
project teams on climate change and help mainstreaming Climate-
Smart Agriculture principles into livestock investments.

The outcomes of the project will help World Bank better account for
climate co-benefits in livestock investments. They will also inform
national climate strategies by providing evidence on the role of
livestock for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
 The technical assistance provided by FAO includes training on low-
emission development strategies for livestock through the use of the
Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model-interactive
(GLEAM-i). GLEAM-i is a tool that estimates livestock GHG emissions
following a life cycle assessment approach. It uses the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2
methodology and generates baseline and improved scenarios of herd
management (including reproduction and health), feeding and
manure management systems.

The project is part of the FAO programme of work on technical

assistance to funding institutions on low carbon livestock investments.

2. Low Carbon and Resilient Livestock Development Strategies for

Climate Informed Investments:
The project “Low Carbon and Resilient Livestock Development
Strategies for Climate Informed Investments” will support five
countries in Africa and Central Asia to build adaptive capacity and
develop low-emission development strategies for livestock
interventions through the use of the Global Livestock Environmental
Assessment Model-interactive (GLEAM-i) and the Tool for Agroecology
Performance Evaluation (TAPE).

This project is jointly implemented by the International Fund for

Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The project will work
together with stakeholders and staff from IFAD-funded projects in
Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The project will elaborate strategies to improve livestock practices in

order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while improving
livestock productivity. This will contribute to enhancing resilience and
strengthening farmer livelihoods - outcomes that the five IFAD-funded
projects aim to achieve.
 In the case of Kyrgyzstan, assessment results are also being used to
inform the update of the country's Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs).

The low-emission strategies are developed using GLEAM-i. This tool

estimates livestock GHG emissions following a life cycle assessment
approach. It uses the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) Tier 2 methodology and generates baseline and improved
scenarios of herd management (including reproduction and health),
feeding and manure management systems.

In Lesotho, TAPE will be used in addition to GLEAM-i to establish a

baseline of agricultural sustainability for the IFAD-funded ROLL
project. TAPE is an analytical framework that uses agroecology to
assess the overall sustainability of productive systems and measure
their performance across the different dimensions of sustainability.

A series of training courses on GLEAM-i and TAPE will be carried out to

support the uptake of the assessment tools in the IFAD-funded
projects.

The project is funded by the second phase of IFAD’s Adaptation for

Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP). The project started in
February 2021 and will end in December 2023. It is also part of an FAO
programme of work on technical assistance to funding institutions on
low carbon livestock investments.

3. Agroecology, ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods while

mitigating climate change and restoring land in dryland regions
(AVACLIM):
The AVACLIM project (2019-2022) is funded by the Global
Environment Facility and the Foundation for Environmental
Monitoring. It aims to address the knowledge gap in evidence-based
information on the effects of agroecological innovations. This is
carried out by evaluating the effects of these innovations across
drylands at the social, economic and environmental level.
FAO is working in partnership with Le Centre d’Actions et de
Realisations Internationales (CARI) and the project is being
implemented by the GEF in Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ethiopia, South
Africa, Morocco, India and Brazil.

The project is expected to:

Support the transition towards improved agricultural practices

enabling the sustainable management of land, soil, water and forest
resources, and promoting the restoration of degraded land.
Increase carbon storage.
Support biodiversity.
Reliable information can enable the mainstreaming of agroecological
innovations across drylands to increase food security, diversify
agricultural livelihoods, reduce environmental degradation and
increase soil carbon sequestration.
 ICMR(The Indian Council of Medical Research):
PROGRAMMES:
Human Resource Development:
Human Resource Development for biomedical research is supported
by ICMR through various schemes such as:
 Research Fellowships (Junior and Senior Fellowships and Research
Associateships)
 Short-Term Visiting Fellowships (which allow scientists to learn advanced
research techniques from other well-established research institutes in India)
 Short-Term Research Studentships (for undergraduate medical students to
encourage them to familiarize themselves with research methodologies and
techniques)
 Training Programmes and Workshops conducted by ICMR Institutes and
Headquarters
 Position of Emeritus Scientists for retired medical scientists and teachers to
enable them to continue carrying out research on specific biomedical topics
 Awards prizes to Indian scientists (young as well as established ones) in
recognition of their significant contributions in biomedical and health research

ACTIVITIES:
The major activities of ICMR are summarized in Table:

S.No
Activities Relev
.

1. Network of 26 institutes  Involved in evaluation of new drugs, insecticides,

for all diseases of national health priority along wi
 Taken health research to every corner of the count

 Registers all the clinical trials conducted in India i

2. Clinical Trial Registry India (CTRI) ensure conformation to accepted ethical standards
 ICMR also provides ethical guidelines for clinical

 Generate reliable data on the magnitude and patter

 Undertake epidemiological studies based on result
3. National Cancer Registry Programme  Help in designing, planning, monitoring and evalu
Cancer Control Programme (NCCP)
 Develop training programmes in cancer registratio
S.No
Activities Relev
.

 Generate timely and geographically representative

Surveillance networks (IDSP, rotavirus, polio,
4. features of several diseases in Indian population
Antimicrobial resistance etc.)
 Only Indian agency conducting surveillance of vir

 Identified the priority areas, conducted research in

economically viable and sustainable solutions for
5. Nutrition
people.
 Nutritive value of Indian Foods and Food Fortifica

 Surveillance Of Health Impact Due To Indian Oce

VCRC, RMRC-PB)
 Environment and health impact assessment for Bh
Support in Outbreak/ epidemics/pandemics/
6. NICPR)
National Emergencies
 Earthquake in Gujarat, 2001 (NIMR, DMRC),
 Supercyclone in Odisha, 1999 (NIMR)
 Epidemic Investigations during SARS/H1N1, and

 DOTS for Tuberculosis

 MDT for Leprosy
7. Provides Inputs for Policy Implementation
 Malaria Drug Policy In North-East
 ORS implementation in diarrhoea

 National Guidelines for Accreditation, Supervision

 Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research on Hu
 Guidelines for Good Clinical Laboratory Practices
8. Provides Guidelines/Regulations  Guidelines for Safety Assessment of Foods Derive
 Intellectual Property Rights Policy
 Guidelines for Stem Cell Research (2013)
 Dietary Guidelines for Indians

 Asia's first BSL-4 laboratory developed by ICMR

 Cholera strain O139
9. Isolation/characterization of New pathogens  Kyasanur forest disease (KFD)
 Leptospirosis
 Paragonimiasis

 Funds majority of research in medical colleges.

Research Support to Medical Colleges all over
10.  Short Term Studentship Program - promote intere
country
undergraduates

 Generate and nurture human resources for health r

11. Capacity Building
SRF, RA, STS) and trainings/workshops.
 MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE:
PROGRAMMES:
1. National TB Control Programme:
Involvement of NGOs and Private practitioners in the National Tuberculosis Control
Programme is of vital importance as a good proportion of patients seeks treatment
from them. The programme encourages participation of NGOs/pps in programme
implementation
An NGO policy has been formulated. Five different schemes for involvement of NGOs
have been envisaged and NGOs are encouraged to apply for collaborating in the
scheme with a view to foster effective community participation in the RNTCP.
Depending on the capacity of the NGOs, their possible area of involvement can be
 Health education and community outreach
 Provision of directly observed treatment.
 In-hospital care for tuberculosis disease.
 Microscopy and treatment centre.
 TB Unit Model.

2. National Programme for Control of Blindness:

National programme for Control of Blindness was launched in the year 1976 as a
100% centrally sponsored programme to reduce the prevalence of blindness from
1.4% to 0.3%.
Programme Objectives
 Develop Eye Care infrastructure throughout the country
 Increase institutional capacity for eye care
 Expand coverage to underserved areas
 Decentralization to district level
 Human Resource Development for Eye Care at all levels
 Improvement in quality of eye care for better visual outcome
 Secure participation of non-government and private sector.
Components
 Construction of dedicated eye wards and operation theatres to provide primary eye care
 Supply of ophthalmic equipment’s and consumables
 Training of surgeons in IOL implantation and training of other support personnel
 GIA to NGOs for augmenting provision of eye care services, development of Eye Banks in
Govt & voluntary sector
 School eye screening programme for detection and correction of refractive errors and
 IEC for public awareness on general eye care

3. National Cancer Control Programme:

 The scheme is for financial assistance up to Rs. 5.00 lakhs to the Voluntary Organisations
for undertaking health education and early detection activities in cancer on the specific
recommendations of the State Government as per proforma prescribed. The organization
must prove to the effect that they are engaged in cancer control activities for the last 3
years.
 The schemes is for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are governed by the
provision of GFR 148 to 151. The NGOs should be registered under the Societies
Registration Act, 1860 and are charitable organizations. As per GFR 148, the institution
must be registered under the relevant Act and have a registration certificate. It is to be
ensured before forwarding their applications to this Ministry for grant-in-aid.
 Further, the institutions seeing grant-in-aid will be required to submit an application as
per prescribed proforma which should enclose along with the Registration Certificate,
Articles of Association, Bye-laws, Audited Statement of Accounts, Source and pattern of
income and expenditure and the Annual Reports for the last three years.
 The Utilization Certificate in respect of each scheme where grant in-aid was released
earlier is required to be submitted. State Government Institutions are to ensure that the
Utilization Certificate along with the copies of the relevant audited accounts may please
be enclosed for ready reference in each case.

ACTIVITIES:
1. National Health policy-2002
A National Health Policy was last formulated in 1983, and since then there have been
marked changes in the determinant factors relating to the health sector. The NHP-
1983 gave a general exposition of the policies which required recommendation in the
circumstances then prevailing in the health sector.
Government initiatives in the pubic health sector have recorded some noteworthy
successes over time. Smallpox and Guinea Worm Disease have been eradicated from
the country; Polio is on the verge of being eradicated; Leprosy, Kala Azar, and
Filariasis can be expected to be eliminated in the foreseeable future. There has been
a substantial drop in the Total Fertility Rate and Infant Mortality Rate. The success of
the initiatives taken in the public health field are reflected in the progressive
improvement of many demographic / epidemiological / infrastructural indicators
over time.
Out of the communicable diseases which have persisted over time, the incidence of Malaria staged a
resurgence in the1980s before stabilising at a fairly high prevalence level during the 1990s. Over the years,
an increasing level of insecticide-resistance has developed in the malarial vectors in many parts of the
country, while the incidence of the more deadly P-Falciparum Malaria has risen to about 50 percent in the
country as a whole. In respect of TB, the public health scenario has not shown any significant decline in the
pool of infection amongst the community, and there has been a distressing trend in the increase of drug
resistance to the type of infection prevailing in the country. A new and extremely virulent communicable
disease – HIV/AIDS - has emerged on the health scene since the declaration of the NHP-1983. As
there is no existing therapeutic cure or vaccine for this infection, the disease constitutes a serious
 threat, not merely to public health but to economic development in the country. The common
water-borne infections – Gastroenteritis, Cholera, and some forms of Hepatitis – continue to
contribute to a high level of morbidity in the population, even though the mortality rate may have
been somewhat moderated.

2. NATIONAL GUIDELINES ON INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING:

Infant and young child nutrition has been engaging the attention of scientists and planners since long for the
very simple reason that growth rate in the life of human beings is maximum during the first year of life and
infant feeding practices comprising of both the breastfeeding as well as complementary feeding have major
role in determining the nutritional status of the child. The link between malnutrition and infant feeding has
been well established. Recent scientific evidence reveals that malnutrition has been responsible, directly or
indirectly, for 60% of all deaths among children under five years annually. Over 2/3 of these deaths are often
associated with inappropriate feeding practices and occur during the first year of life. Only 35% of infants
world-wide are exclusively breastfed during the first four months of life and complementary feeding begins
either too early or too late with foods which are often nutritionally inadequate and unsafe. Poor feeding
practices in infancy and early childhood, resulting in malnutrition, contribute to impaired cognitive and
social development, poor school performance and reduced productivity in later life. Poor feeding practices
are, therefore, a major threat to social and economic development as they are among the most serious
obstacles to attaining and maintaining health of this important age group.

Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding practices - especially early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for
the first six months of life - help ensure young children the best possible start to life. Breastfeeding is
nature’s way of nurturing the child, creating a strong bond between the mother and the child. It provides
development and learning opportunities to the infant, stimulating all five senses of the child – sight, smell,
hearing, taste, touch. Breastfeeding fosters emotional security and affection, with a lifelong impact on
psychosocial development. Special fatty acids in breast milk lead to increased intelligence quotients (IQs)
and better visual acuity. A breastfed baby is likely to have an IQ of around 8 points higher than a non-
breastfed baby.

The National Nutrition Policy adopted by the Government of India under the aegis of the Department of
Women and Child Development in 1993 laid due emphasis on nutrition and health education of mothers on
infant and young child feeding and efforts to trigger appropriate behavioural changes among the mothers
were considered as direct interventions for reducing malnutrition in children.

The Government of India has always been promoting at the national and international fora exclusive
breastfeeding for the first six months and introduction of complementary foods thereafter with continued
breastfeeding upto two years which is consistent with the Indian tradition of prolonged breastfeeding and
introduction of complementary foods from six months of age through an annaprashan ceremony.

3. Manual for family planning insurance Scheme:

Introduction: India is the first country that launched a National Family Planning
Programme in 1952, emphasizing fertility regulation for reducing birth rates to the
extent necessary to stabilize the population at a level consistent with the socio-
economic development and environment protection. Since then the demographic
and health profiles of India have steadily improved.

Government of India Scheme to compensate acceptors of sterilization for loss of

wages:
With a view to encourage people to adopt permanent method of Family Planning,
Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme since 1981 to
compensate the acceptors of sterilisation for the loss of wages for the day on which
he/she attended the medical facility for undergoing sterilisation.

Under the Scheme, the Central Government released funds to States/UTs @ Rs.300
per Tubectomy, Rs.200 per Vasectomy and Rs.20 per IUD Insertion. The States/UTs
had the flexibility to decide the amount of apportionment among various
components, provided minimum amount of Rs.150 was paid to the acceptors of
Tubectomy/Vasectomy and Rs.60 per Tubectomy, Rs.25 per vasectomy and Rs.20
per IUD insertion was used by the medical facility towards drugs and dressing. This
was intended to ensure quality of service in these procedures. Flexibility rested
with the States for determining sub components of the remaining amount, within
the total package. In the case of EAG States viz. Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,
Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal, the
compensation package for sterilisation had been raised from Rs.300/- to Rs.400/-
per Tubectomy, Rs.200/- to Rs.400/-per Vasectomy if conducted in a public health
facility or approved private sector health facility, and from Rs.20 to Rs.75 per IUD
insertion, if conducted in an approved private sector health facility.

Apart from providing for cash compensation to the acceptor of sterilisation for loss
of wages, transportation, diet, drugs, dressing etc out of the funds released to
States/UTs under this scheme, some States/UTs were apportioning some amount
for creating a miscellaneous purpose fund. This fund was utilized for payment of ex-
gratia to the acceptor of sterilisation or his/her nominee in the unlikely event of
his/her death or incapacitation or for treatment of post operative complications
attributable to the procedure of sterilization.
 MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD
DEVELOPMENT:
PROGRAMMES:
The schemes implemented under the Ministry of Women and Child Development
since the year 2014 are as under:
POSHAN Abhiyaan
POSHAN Abhiyaan, launched on 8th March, 2018 aims to address malnutrition
issues across the nation through components like ICT Application, Convergence,
Community Mobilization, Behavioural Change & Jan Andolan, Capacity Building,
Incentives and Awards, and Innovations.
Anganwadi Services
Under Anganwadi Services, a package of six services is provided to Pregnant
Women and Lactating Mothers and to Children under the age of 6 years i.e.
 Supplementary Nutrition (SNP)
 Pre-school Non-formal Education;
 Nutrition & Health Education;
 Immunization;
 Health Check-up, and
 Referral Services.
Three of the six services, viz., Immunization, Health check-up and Referral Services
are related to health and are provided through NRHM & Public Health
Infrastructure.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a Centrally Sponsored
Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme, for implementation across the country with
effect from 01.01.2017. The maternity benefit under PMMVY is available to all
Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers (PW&LM), excluding PW&LM who are in
regular employment with the Central Government or the State Governments or
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) or those who are in receipt of similar benefits
under any law for the time being in force, for first living child of family. Under the
scheme Rs.5,000/- are provided to the eligible beneficiary in three installments
during pregnancy and lactation in response to individual fulfilling certain nutrition
and health seeking conditions. The eligible beneficiary also receives the remaining
cash incentive as per approved norms towards maternity benefit under Janani
Suraksha Yojana (JSY) after institutional delivery so that on an average, a woman
gets Rs.6,000/-.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme was launched on 22nd January 2015 with
an aim to address declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of
empowerment of girls and women over a life cycle continuum. The objective of the
scheme are, to prevent gender biased sex selective elimination, to ensure survival
and protection of the girl child and to ensure education and participation of the girl
child. The key elements of the scheme include nation-wide media and advocacy
campaign and multi-sectoral intervention in selected districts.
One Stop Centre (OSC) and Universalization of Women Helplines(WHL):
Women Welfare Division is administering two schemes from Nirbhaya Fund namely
One Stop Centre and Universalization of Women Helplines. The One Stop Centres
(OSCs), popularly known as Sakhi Centres, aim to facilitate women affected by
violence (including domestic violence) with a range of integrated services under
one roof such as Police facilitation, medical aid, providing legal aid and legal
counselling, psycho-social counselling, temporary shelter etc. The Women Helpline
(WHL) Scheme provides 24 hours emergency and non-emergency response to
women affected by violence, both in public and private spaces by linking them with
appropriate authority such as Police, One Stop Centre, Hospital, Legal Services etc.
WHL also supports women in distress with rescue van and counselling services in
addition to providing information about women welfare schemes and programs
across the country. Women can dial 181 short code to avail services from Women
Helpline.
Child Protection Services (CPS):
The Ministry is implementing Child Protection Services Scheme under the Mission
Vatsalya scheme (erstwhile Integrated Child Protection Scheme) since 2009-10 for
supporting the children in difficult circumstances. Under the scheme institutional
care is provided through Child Care Institutes (CCIs), as a rehabilitative measure.
The programmes and activities in Homes inter-alia include age-appropriate
education, access to vocational training, recreation, health care, counselling etc.
Under the non-institutional care component, support is extended for adoption,
foster care and sponsorship. Further CPS also provides for “After care” services
after the age of 18 years to help sustain them during the transition from
institutional to independent life. The primary responsibility of execution of the Act
and implementation of Scheme rests with the States/UTs.
Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG):
Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG): is a Centrally-sponsored scheme which aims at
providing nutritional support to out of school girls in the age group of 11-14 years
for improving their health and nutritional status under the nutrition component on
one hand and motivates them to go back to formal schooling, provides life skill
training, accessing public services etc. under non-nutrition component on the other
hand.
Swadhar Greh
The Swadhar Greh Scheme is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
for women who are victims of difficult circumstances in need of institutional
support for rehabilitation so that they could lead their life with dignity.
Ujjawala 
 The Ujjawala Scheme is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for
Prevention of trafficking and for Rescue, Rehabilitation, Re-integration and
Repatriation of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
Working Women Hostel (WWH)
Working Women Hostel Scheme is implemented by the Government with the
objective to provide safe and conveniently located accommodation for working
women, with day care facility for their children, wherever possible, in urban, semi
urban, or even rural areas where employment opportunity for women exist.
National Creche Scheme for the children of working mothers:
Ministry of Women and Child Development implements the National Crèche
Scheme for the children of working mothers as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
through States/ UTs with effect from 01.01.2017 to provide day care facilities to
children (age group of 6 months to 6 years) of working mothers. The Scheme
provides an integrated package of the following services:
 Day care facilities including sleeping facilities.
 Early stimulation for children below 3 years and pre-school education for 3 to 6 years old
children
 Supplementary nutrition (to be locally sourced)
 Growth monitoring
 Health check-up and immunization
For effective implementation and improved delivery, presently in the XVth Finance
Commission Cycle, the aforementioned schemes of the Ministry have been clubbed
together into three verticals viz. Mission Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti and Mission
Vatsalya.
Mission Poshan 2.0
An Integrated Nutrition Support Programme to address the challenges of
malnutrition in the country has brought 3 important programmes/schemes under
its ambit, viz., Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls and Poshan
Abhiyaan. 
Mission Shakti
It comprises of two sub-schemes ‘Sambal’ and ‘Samarthya’ for safety and security
of women and empowerment of women respectively. The existing schemes of One
Stop Centres (OSC), Women Helplines (181-WHL) and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
(BBBP) have been made part of Sambal sub- scheme; while the existing schemes of
Ujjwala, Swadhar Greh and Working Women Hostel, National Creche Scheme and
the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), have been subsumed in
‘Samarthya’.
Mission Vatsalya – recognizing children to be one of the supreme national assets,
the Child Protection Scheme (CPS) has been strengthened for better outreach and
protection for children in need and care in a mission mode.

ACTIVITIES:
 Welfare of the family.
 Women and Child Welfare and Coordination of activities of other Ministries and
Organisation in connection with this subject.
 the United Nations Organizations relating to traffic in Women and Children
 Care of pre-school children including pre-primary education
 National Nutrition Policy, national Plan of Action for Nutrition and National Nutrition
Mission.
 Charitable and religious endowments pertaining to subjects allocated to this Department
 Promotion and development of voluntary effort on the subjects allocated to this
Department
 Implementation of
o Immoral Traffic in Women and Girl Act. 1956 (as amended upto 1986) .
o The Indecent Representation of Women (Prevention) Act, 1986 (60 of 1986).
o The Dowry Prohibition Act. 1961 (28 of 1961)
o The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 (3 of 1988), excluding the
administration of criminal justice in regard to offences under these Acts.
 Implementation of the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Food
(Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992 (41 of 1992).
 Coordination of activities of Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE)
 Planning, Research, Evaluation, Monitoring, Project Formulations, Statistics and Training
relating to the welfare and development of women and children, including development
of gender sensitive data base.
o United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
o Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB)
o National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD)
o Food and Nutrition Board Food and Nutrition Board (FNB)
o Development and popularization of subsidiary and protective foods.
o Nutrition extension.
Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equity
 National Commission for Women
 Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK)
 The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (56 of 2000)
 Probation of Juvenile offenders
 Issues relating to adoption, Central Adoption Resource Agency and Child Help Line
(Childline)
 The Children Act, 1960 (60 of 1960)
 The Child Marriage – Restraint Act, 1929 (19 of 1929)