Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), had organised the National Tribal Health Conclave 2025, on 20th January 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This landmark event is a pivotal initiative under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, aimed at addressing the critical health and well-being challenges faced by India’s tribal communities.
India’s tribal communities often face unique healthcare challenges due to geographical isolation, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and deeply rooted cultural traditions. These factors contribute to significant disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, requiring specialized attention and solutions.
In response to these challenges, the Government of India has undertaken several transformative steps. Among these is the launch of the National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, targeting the eradication of sickle cell anemia by 2047. Complementing this mission, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has introduced several initiatives under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan to ensure holistic health and well-being in tribal regions.
Key Efforts and Initiatives in Tribal Healthcare:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), in collaboration with MoH&FW, AIIMS, and other stakeholders, has launched several initiatives:
- Bhagwan Birsa Munda Chair of Tribal Health and Haematology: Established at AIIMS Delhi, this chair serves as a multi-disciplinary platform for research and data collection on tribal health.
- Centres of Competence (CoC): 15 CoCs have been sanctioned in 14 states to enable advanced and prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anemia, a prevalent genetic condition in tribal populations.
- Collaborative Approach: MoTA is working closely with MoH&FW, MoAYUSH, MoWCD, NHM, AIIMSs, CoCs, ICMR, UN agencies, NGOs, and state tribal welfare departments to ensure effective healthcare delivery.
The National Tribal Health Conclave 2025 brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, AYUSH, Social Justice and Empowerment, senior state government officials, NHM representatives, AIIMS directors, tribal health experts, premier institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and more. The event has focused on identifying priority areas for policy intervention, action-oriented research, and course-correction initiatives to strengthen the tribal healthcare system.
Objectives of the Conclave:
- Facilitate discussions to explore innovative healthcare delivery models for tribal regions.
- Identify priority areas for policy interventions and research.
- Develop culturally appropriate health strategies to enhance health-seeking behavior.
- Strengthen healthcare systems through capacity building, community engagement, and monitoring mechanisms.
- Create a comprehensive action plan to improve healthcare access and outcomes in tribal areas.
Inaugural Session Highlights:
The conclave was inaugurated by Shri Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, with the presence of MoS (TA) Shri Durgadas Uikey, Secretary of Tribal Affairs Shri Vibhu Nayar, and Director of AIIMS Delhi Prof (Dr) M Srinivas.