Page 9 - HSTP Annual Report Final

Research for Health
Systems Design
Through value-based partnerships with national, state & local
governments, Indian and global research & knowledge partners,
we conduct comprehensive health systems assessment and design
strategies for improving outcomes with a focus on financial risk
protection, population health & wellness.
Odisha Health Systems Strengthening
The initiative aims to conduct a comprehensive health systems diagnostic assessment, design
interventions for challenges/gaps identified, experiment socio-economically feasible solutions
and evaluate them for refinement/scale up. HSTP, Tata Trusts and Government of Odisha agreed
on a four-year memorandum of understanding (2019-2023). Harvard School of Public Health, and
Indian Institute of Public Health Bhubaneswar are our technical collaborators.
This year, in consultation with the Government of Odisha and local partners, the research from
the diagnostic study was used to design further research and interventions of strengthening
health systems in Odisha. Expert committees headed by Government o cers have been formed
to guide and internalise context specific interventions with focus on:
 Improving competencies of public healthcare providers working in primary health settings
 Strengthening access to medicines at primary health centres
We are also engaged in providing technical assistance to the State Health Assurance Society for
implementation of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), the universal health coverage program in
Odisha State. Our healthcare financing experts support the BKSY scheme policy and
implementation diligently working with the scheme Chief Executive O cer and the
implementation team. This year we have produced knowledge products that identify issues and
solutions for financing & scheme implementation.
 Policy Paper: District sector fund flow, resource allocations and utilisation: issues and
challenges in Odisha, July 2021.
 Policy Paper: Improving government financial transfers for health and their utilization:
State experiences, April 2021.
 Working Paper: Changes in utilization trends of services at public hospitals after the
launch of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana & other health initiatives in Odisha, April 2021.
 Journal Article: State led innovations for achieving universal health coverage in a low
resource setting Odisha, India: opportunities and challenges, International Journal of
Community Medicine and Public Health, May 2021.
Support to the National Health Authority
We provide thought leadership and technical support to the National Health Authority (NHA) to
develop strategies on
 Expanding health coverage to non-poor populations.
 Linkages between primary healthcare and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
This involves conceptualization of e ective interventions, exploratory research, and conducting
experiments to understand what works and what does not in the Indian/ State Context.
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