Women’s education important for health: Patil

NEW DELHI - President Pratibha Patil Saturday termed women’s education as the most important determinant for good health of women and children.

Education is a powerful driver of health. The relationship between poverty, lack of education and limited access to health services, is well recognised, Patil said, inaugurating a two-day international conference on “Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health” here.

India has recently enacted a Right to Education Act under which all children in the age group of 6-14 will receive free education. When fully realised, this will have a profound impact on health indicators as well, the president said.

“Educated women tend to provide better guidance to their children and also promote education of girl children, she said.

The president said India has one of the largest rate of maternal and child deaths in the world and the government was taking steps to improve the situation.

The president also called upon the public health fraternity to offer ways of delivering healthcare more efficiently, effectively and equitably.

Academics and researchers should discover new solutions and ensure rapid translation of discoveries to products, to prevent disease and save lives, she said.

There should also be an exchange of experiences and best practices between countries and stake holders, she said.

The conference has been organised by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), an intergovernmental alliance of 350 organisations hosted by the WHO in Geneva.