‘Social protection must to face future health challenges’

Mangaluru: Federico Salas Lotfe, Ambassador of Mexico to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives, reiterated the importance of a social protection system which is holistically developed to be better equipped to face future health challenges and crises. He was speaking at the 8th Foundation Day of CHD Group, a public health organization holding UNECOSOC Special Consultative status, here on Monday.
In his inaugural address Salas discussed the various consequences of the pandemic in the diplomatic sector, the fragility of the health care system, and the restricted access of marginal groups in health care. He highlighted the need for WHO to reform from its previous self and be better prepared.
Dr Harsha Somaroo, president, Public Health Association of South Africa, also a medical specialist at the University of Witwatersrand School of Public Health & technical advisor, Gauteng Province, Department of Health, South Africa, stressed the importance on how intersectoral sectors need to effectively collaborate and bridge the policy gaps across various determinants of health and reform health and non-health actors. She was strongly in favour of mainstreaming health in all policies as a guiding principle for times ahead around the world.
Among the panellists, Dakshina Kannada ZP CEO Kumar pointed out the various challenges faced in India during the pandemic, and how agriculture, educational sectors were affected, besides the impact on migrant workers. The issue of reverse migration was spoken about and the manner in which various government schemes can be popularized was highlighted. He also highlighted how Pustaka Goodu (book nest) as a concept he started gathered rising popularity around the villages can be further scaled.
Dr Edmond Fernandes, founder and CEO, CHD Group spoke about CHD Group’s journey through eight years and discussed its plans across India and around the world and how global health policies must be mainstreamed with health at the centre of discussion worldwide.
Dr Ramdas Pai, former WHO consultant, spoke on the role of social accountability of medical colleges towards community care and the responsibility medical colleges to take care of the community. He also floated concepts to explore new paths in guideline creations for future risks.