New Delhi
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.
It is against this backdrop that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), organised the National Tribal Health Conclave 2025, on Monday at Bharat Mandapam here to collectively explore innovative approaches to deliver quality healthcare services.
During the day-long event, a collaboration was formalized between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and AIIMS, Delhi through an exchange of letters. This partnership focuses on adopting a tribal block in Odisha to conduct etiological studies, design and implement capacity-building programs, conduct field research on health conditions, and develop telemedicine initiatives, among other efforts, the MoTA said in a statement.
The event focused on identifying priority areas for policy intervention, action-oriented research, and course-correction initiatives to strengthen the tribal healthcare system.
The National Tribal Health Conclave, the MoTA said, marks a significant milestone in the Government of India’s commitment to the holistic development of tribal communities. “By fostering collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, this initiative seeks to deliver sustainable healthcare solutions while preserving the rich cultural heritage of India’s tribal populations,” it maintained.
The MoTA said it has in collaboration with MoH&FW, AIIMS, and other stakeholders 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:
- 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, and NGOs among others.
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.
The conclave was inaugurated by Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, with the presence of MoS (TA)Durgadas Uikey, Secretary of Tribal Affairs Vibhu Nayar, and Director of AIIMS Delhi Prof (Dr) M Srinivas.
More than 400 participants from across the country attended the conclave. They included Director of AIIMS Nagpur Prof (Dr) Prasant P Joshi; Director of AIIMS Deogarh & AIIMS Patna Prof (Dr) Saurabh Varshney; Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar Prof (Dr) Ashutosh Biswas; Director of AIIMS Guwahati Prof (Col) Ashok Puranik; Director of AIIMS Kalyani Prof (Dr) Ramjii, and T Roumuan Paite, Joint Secretary, MoTA.
The conclave featured in-depth sessions on:
- Strengthening Healthcare Systems: Exploring telemedicine, mobile medical units, and capacity building.
- Traditional Healers: Integrating indigenous knowledge systems into mainstream healthcare.
- Nutrition and Adolescent Health: Addressing malnutrition, reproductive health, and traditional food practices.
- Disease-Specific Interventions: Targeting sickle cell disease, addiction, and mental health.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Balancing traditional lifestyles with improved health outcomes.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
- A strategic roadmap for enhancing healthcare delivery in tribal regions.
- Integration of traditional healers and practices into formal healthcare systems.
- Nutrition-centric initiatives to combat malnutrition and promote adolescent health.
- Targeted interventions for managing rare diseases, addiction, and mental health issues.
- Strengthened public health infrastructure with community participation and technology integration.
