Preventive healthcare is the way to go: Banshidhar and Ila Foundation CEO

Bhubaneswar: Amid fast-paced and changing lifestyle, preventive healthcare is the only way to go for a sustainable development especially for the poor, who live in cities, Banshidhar and Ila Foundation (BIPF) CEO Sephalika Panda said today.

Panda shared these thoughts on the sidelines of 'Ideate2018,' a panel discussion on 'Strengthening of Urban Healthcare Through Community Participation- Challenges, Prospects & Avenues' organised by BIPF and PATH.

"The rate of urban poverty is increasing faster than the rate of population and the urban poor has to face a lot of challenges with regards to healthcare. Cities have healthcare facilities, but everybody cannot access it, so we have decided to improve the healthcare situation in urban slums through community participation," Panda said.

Panda further stated that even as the government is doing well, it is time for private players, NGOs to build partnerships and create a larger platform for the urban poor.

"Odisha has been actually a pioneer with the Mahila Arogya Samiti. We would like to showcase the success model of Odisha so that it can be grown in the state and across the country," she said.