Gates Foundation Extends Partnership with UP for 5 More Years

In the meeting, he stated that despite the scheme's initiation under the previous BJP regime, which had significant issues related to reimbursement claims, it will remain in place.

The memorandum of cooperation (MoC) between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has been extended for another five years.

The announcement was made on Thursday by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Minister of State for Health Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh.

The partnership, which began in 2012, was initially signed by Partha Sarathi Sen Sharma, principal secretary of medical health and family welfare, and Hari Menon, BMGF director and India head.

The primary goal of this collaboration has been to improve healthcare services in Uttar Pradesh.

Sharing thoughts, Deputy CM Pathak said, “The state has made significant strides in health service delivery. Numbers from external agencies and Union health ministry speak for the change and in the process, BMGF has been a key supporter.”

While according to Sen Sharma, BMGF has been collaborative rather than prescriptive and this will continue to benefit the citizens of the state.

Achievements & Progress

An official spokesperson detailed the progress made over the years:

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) Reduction: Between 2016 and 2019, the MMR in UP decreased from 216 to 167 per 100,000 live births.

Under-5 Mortality Rate Decline: The under-5 mortality rate fell from 47 to 41 per 1,000 live births between 2016 and 2020.

Improved Contraceptive Prevalence: The modern contraceptive prevalence rate increased from 31.7% to 44.5% between 2016 and 2020.

Health Infrastructure Enhancement: The number of newborn stabilization units at Community Health Centers (CHCs) increased from 53 to 275. First referral units capable of performing C-sections rose from 135 to 322, and active FRU-CHCs grew from 66 to 234 between 2019 and 2024.

The partnership has also led to a decline in acute encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis cases, with an 88% reduction in kala-azar cases between 2018 and 2024.

Furthermore, the development of digital systems such as UPHMIS, Manav Sampada, e-Kavach, FAMS, Integrated Covid-Portal, UPKSK, DVDMS, HOPE, e-Sushrut, BCPM-MIS, UDSP, and D2C platform has been a notable achievement.

Overall, the extension of this partnership is expected to further enhance healthcare services and infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, continuing the positive trajectory of the past years.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), established by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates in 2000, is an American private foundation headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It is recognized as the world's second-largest charitable foundation, with assets totaling $69 billion as of 2020.