RMRC joins WHO network to reduce ‘health inequities'
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Bhubaneswar: The Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR-RMRC) in the city has been selected to join the WHO's 'Health Inequality Monitoring Network', a global initiative dedicated to advancing health equity through better data and evidence.
Through the network, RMRC will contribute to developing tools, strengthening data systems and guiding policy interventions to reduce health inequities, official sources said.
ICMR director Sanghamitra Pati said Odisha and the rest of the eastern region face significant health challenges, particularly among tribal, rura, and underserved populations. "Being a part of the network will allow RMRC to generate disaggregated data to better understand who is being left behind, support evidence-informed policies to reduce health gaps, and enhance regional health monitoring systems and capacity-building," she added.
"This recognition places ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar among key institutions worldwide working to identify and address health disparities. The WHO's recently published report, 'Health Inequality Monitoring: Harnessing Data to Advance Health Equity', emphasises the critical role of monitoring in shaping inclusive health policies," read a press statement from RMRC.
"By collaborating with WHO and other global partners, RMRC will play a critical role in shaping strategies that promote universal health coverage and equity-oriented health reforms," said Pati.
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As a participant in the network, she said the RMRC will support WHO in identifying training needs and organising capacity-building workshops for member states. "Our multidisciplinary team of experts will familiarise themselves with WHO's methods and tools on health inequality monitoring and help teams adhere to the shared guidelines," she added.
Pati said RMRC will contribute technical inputs to enhance training programmes, support integration of data disaggregation into health systems and promote best practices. "RMRC will also share knowledge and help develop context-specific training resources to strengthen monitoring capacity across member states," she added.
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