Forum for Health Systems Design and Transformation, more popularly known as Health Systems Transformation Platform (HSTP), is a not-for-profit company licensed under section 8 of the Indian Companies Act 2013 incorporated under the aegis of Tata Trusts. At HSTP, our mission is to enable Indian researchers and policymakers to conduct health policy and systems research and translate evidence to practice for Universal Health Coverage. The focus is on policy relevance, systems thinking and value-based partnerships with Indian and global institutions and experts.
Developing an effective primary healthcare (PHC) model for urban areas remains a significant challenge in India and HSTP is actively working to address this gap. We have conducted urban healthcare assessments and established partnerships with the urban health systems of Mysuru and Bhopal. In Mysuru, HSTP conducted a comprehensive assessment of the PHC system, while in Bhopal, efforts were made to adapt the WHO Healthy Cities Framework.
Health financing and planning are critical to advancing towards Universal Health Coverage, ensuring that resources are mobilized, allocated and utilized efficiently to meet the health needs of the population. Strategic financing promotes transparency and accountability in resource allocation and its use, while systematic planning enables focussed investments towards in preventive, promotive and curative services, strengthening health systems and enhancing service delivery.
Human Resources for Health (HRH) are defined as “the stock of all individuals engaged in the promotion, protection or improvement of population health”. The cornerstone of operationalizing the healthcare services within any nation’s health systems lies in its human resources, encompassing professionals including physicians, nursing practitioners, pharmacists, midwives, allied health professionals, community health workers, and other social service providers.
Non-communicable diseases like heart disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease account for an alarming 74% of all global deaths, with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) alone responsible for 32% of mortality worldwide. In India, the burden of NCDs is rising rapidly, causing 66% of deaths, posing a major challenge to both public health and the economy. The strain on healthcare systems has never been more significant, as India undergoes an epidemiological transition.
The India HPSR Fellowship Program, launched in 2020, is a flagship initiative designed to build the capacity of researchers and practitioners from diverse disciplinary backgrounds in Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR / IHPSR). It seeks to strengthen health systems in India by producing actionable evidence to influence health policy, which can lead to better health outcomes.
The One Health approach recognizes that human wellbeing is inextricably linked to animal and environmental health. This integrated framework has become increasingly crucial as we face global challenges like zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food security, and climate change.
The fellows’ attention to detail, professionalism, and dedication in spite of this being a particularly difficult time owing to COVID has me hopeful about the future of health policy and systems research in India. Our interactions delved into understanding the particular challenges of working on health system equity challenges, research tools, in groups, with larger grant amounts, and other aspects that they will encounter in the future.
Program Director, Healthier Societies Strategy, George Institute for Global Health India
It’s been wonderful to see the course evolve in response to the individual journeys of the fellows. This module on methods in HPSR has taken the conversation on complexity in health systems forward with introduction to methods that embrace complexity.
Adjunct Faculty
Institute of Public Health Bengaluru
Working with Fellows from a wide range of background and experiences means that the classroom and other discussions are very rich. As Fellows bring in their personal experiences to the classroom, the concepts we teach are enlivened. I think it contributes greatly to the learning process too.
Professor
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology
Understanding power dynamics and positionality in policy is an often underrated skill in health policy and systems research. Students unlocked their own potential and capabilities through very fruitful peer exchange and discussion.
Senior Research Fellow & Lecture
Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwer
Forum for Health Systems Design and Transformation, more popularly known as Health Systems Transformation Platform (HSTP), a company licensed under section 8 of the Indian Companies Act, 2013 incorporated under the aegis of Tata Trusts.
