DH& FW, Government of Odisha, TSF and KEF Join Hands to Strengthen Public Health Systems across the state of Odisha
Bhubaneswar, August 5, 2026: The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha, Tata Steel Foundation and Kaivalya Education Foundation (an entity of Piramal Foundation) have entered into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen public health systems across the state of Odisha. Present on the occasion were Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Hon’ble Health Minister of Odisha; Ms. Awasthy S. (IAS), Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare; Dr. Brundha D. (IAS), Mission Director, National Health Mission, Odisha, and other senior bureaucrats and government officials. The MoU was signed at Kharavel Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, between Dr. Rabindranath Misra, Director, Public Health, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Odisha; Dr. Anuj Bhatnagar, Head of Public Health, Tata Steel Foundation, and Dr. Sunil Babu, Core Team Member, Kaivalya Education Foundation (an entity of Piramal Foundation).
The three-year collaboration aims to provide strategic, techno-managerial support to strengthen public health systems across the state, with a focus on improving outcomes in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N), as well as tuberculosis and malaria. The project will work closely with the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha and district health systems to build institutional capacity and promote data-driven decision-making in public health system such as service delivery, health governance, human resources for health, supply chain management and health financing.
The project adopts a systems-strengthening approach using evidence-based planning, targeted implementation and community participation to strengthen governance mechanisms to accelerate improvements in RMNCAH+N and outcomes of TB and Malaria while leveraging digital and innovative models to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Under the partnership, Tata Steel Foundation will provide strategic and technical support across 16 districts of Odisha, while Kaivalya Education Foundation (an entity of Piramal Foundation) will support the remaining 14 districts, ensuring state-wide coverage. The project will be implemented in alignment with the priorities and phased roll-out plans of the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha.
Dr. Brundha D. (IAS), Mission Director, National Health Mission, Odisha, said: “The National Health Mission has consistently focused on accelerating improvements in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition outcomes across Odisha. We are pleased to partner with Tata Steel Foundation and Kaivalya Education Foundation, (an entity of Piramal Foundation) whose expertise in systems strengthening and implementation support will complement our efforts. This collaboration will help accelerate RMNCAH+N outcomes through improved planning, monitoring, governance, and capacity building at both state and district levels.”
Adding his thoughts, Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Steel Foundation, said: “This partnership with the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha, advances a shared commitment to addressing critical social challenges and promoting better health outcomes across the state. The project builds on this long-standing collaboration by anchoring collective efforts to strengthen public health systems that are more responsive, resilient, and community centric. Through this partnership, we look forward to contributing to efforts that improve access to quality healthcare, particularly for vulnerable communities, while supporting Odisha’s broader vision for a healthier future.”
