India needs IT based health delivery system

The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) International Advisory Panel Chairperson Jeffrey Sachs has called upon India to implement IT based health delivery system in the country.

The Columbia University Professor, while praising India's effort for closing gap on the health mission under the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) with the other countries, however, said that the country needs to make more investment in the sector. "India should step up the budgetary allocation in health sector to four to five per cent of the GDP," Sachs said adding that a higher investment in the health sector will give great social returns.Calling the NRHM as one of the most remarkable achievements in public health sector, he said that India's dramatic improvement in the health sector have been made possible due to enhanced partnership between the centre, state and local units.

Sachs, who is also the advisor to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, said that the increase in institutional delivery and drop in mortality is especially impressive.

Arguing for an IT-based health delivery system, Sachs added that India can serve as a role model for other countries in the health sector.Having traveled to a few Indian states, he also said that there is, however, a need for more human resources and logistical support.