In a significant step towards building a more resilient and responsive public health infrastructure, the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha, has joined hands with Tata Steel Foundation and Kaivalya Education Foundation (an entity of Piramal Foundation).
The three organisations signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bhubaneswar on 5 August 2026, committing to a three-year collaboration that will strengthen health systems across the entire state.
The MoU was formalised at Kharavel Bhavan in the presence of Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Hon’ble Health Minister of Odisha; Awasthy S. (IAS), Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare; Dr. Brundha D. (IAS), Mission Director, National Health Mission, Odisha; and other senior officials. Signing on behalf of the partners were Dr. Rabindranath Misra, Director, Public Health; Dr. Anuj Bhatnagar, Head of Public Health, Tata Steel Foundation; and Dr. Sunil Babu, Core Team Member, Kaivalya Education Foundation.
The partnership focuses on accelerating improvements in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N), as well as tuberculosis and malaria outcomes. It will deliver strategic and techno-managerial support to enhance service delivery, health governance, human resources, supply chain management and health financing. A strong emphasis will be placed on evidence-based planning, data-driven decision-making, institutional capacity building and community participation, while leveraging digital and innovative models for greater efficiency.
Under the arrangement, Tata Steel Foundation will provide support across 16 districts, while Kaivalya Education Foundation will cover the remaining 14 districts — ensuring complete state-wide reach. Implementation will closely align with the priorities and phased roll-out plans of the state health department.
Dr. Brundha D., Mission Director, National Health Mission, Odisha, welcomed the collaboration, noting that it will complement ongoing efforts to improve RMNCAH+N outcomes through better planning, monitoring, governance and capacity building at both state and district levels.
Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Tata Steel Foundation, highlighted the shared commitment: “This partnership advances our collective efforts to strengthen public health systems that are more responsive, resilient and community-centric. We look forward to improving access to quality healthcare, particularly for vulnerable communities, while supporting Odisha’s vision for a healthier future.”
By combining government leadership with the technical expertise of Tata Steel Foundation and Kaivalya Education Foundation, this alliance is poised to deliver lasting improvements in health outcomes and system performance across Odisha.
