The meeting will review the manifesto concerning people’s health that was taken up at the national level by the health assembly which met last in December 2018. Talking to DT Next, Suresh D, a steering committee member of the MNI and a member of the Society for Community Health Awareness Research and Action, a community health resource center, said that the national level assembly took up a 24-point health manifesto. 

He said, “In that meet, around 80 people from Tamil Nadu were present. We wanted to meet again to review the manifesto and tweak it according to the state’s requirements to make it more state specific.”

The objectives of the health assemblies that have been held at various levels were to achieve the goal of health for all. However, there has been a considerable delay in achieving it even after the World Health Organisation set the target for the year 2000. 

Suresh added, “There are various reasons for it and some of it includes the policies and Acts passed by the state.” He also said that the upcoming meeting will also look at ways to attain the points provided in the manifesto and chart out the strategies for it.

The MNI comprises NGOs and health care workers who collaborate at various levels. The health assemblies also have an international presence with participation from over 73 countries. The international level meeting was held in Savar in Bangladesh. As many as 1,500 people participate in these assemblies held over a period.