Fernandez Hosts India-UK Meet on Maternal and Child Health Research

The first India-UK Research Partnership Meet, hosted by the Fernandez Hospital Education & Research Foundation (FHERF) in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, marked a significant step forward in strengthening research and education ties between the two nations. Bringing together policymakers, leading researchers, clinicians, and global organisations, the event centered on advancing women’s health through collaboration and shared expertise.The discussions held on 30th January at Fernandez Stork Home highlighted the importance of evidence-based approaches in addressing maternal and child health challenges. Professor Shakila Thangaratinam, Professor of Women's Health and India Lead at the University of Liverpool, delivered the keynote address. A recognised authority in systematic reviews and a key collaborator with the World Health Organization, she emphasised the need for collective efforts in improving health outcomes."Research-driven partnerships like these bridge gaps between science and real-world impact. By working together, we can turn evidence into action, ensuring that every woman, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status, receives the highest standard of care," said Professor Thangaratinam.The meet saw participation from representatives of the Government of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, UNICEF, and leading higher education institutions. Indie Kaur, Director of Midwifery at Fernandez Foundation, highlighted the critical role of midwife-led care models in ensuring safe, respectful, and high-quality maternity care."Midwifery is the backbone of safe and respectful maternity care. By integrating midwife-led models of care with cutting-edge research, we can create a future where every woman experiences a positive and empowered childbirth journey," she noted.Gareth Owen, Deputy British High Commissioner to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, underscored the UK’s commitment to fostering impactful research collaborations with India."The UK and India share a rich history of academic and healthcare collaborations. This partnership in women's health research is a testament to our shared ambition of improving maternal and newborn care through innovation, evidence-based policy, and education," he said.Others present on the occasion were Dr Evita Fernandez, Chairperson & MD, Fernandez Foundation, Zelalem Birhanu Taffesse, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka & Telangana), Dr Anthony Vipin Das, Chairperson, Fernandez Innovations Forum, Dr Anil Kumar, Additional Director, Maternal & Child Health, Government of Andhra Pradesh and Dr Sumitra, Programme Officer, Maternal & Child Health, Government of Telangana.With experts and key stakeholders engaging in discussions, the UK-India Research Partnership Meet set the stage for future collaborations, funding opportunities, and knowledge exchange aimed at improving healthcare outcomes for women across India and beyond.

The first India-UK Research Partnership Meet, hosted by the Fernandez Hospital Education & Research Foundation (FHERF) in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, marked a significant step forward in strengthening research and education ties between the two nations. Bringing together policymakers, leading researchers, clinicians, and global organisations, the event centered on advancing women’s health through collaboration and shared expertise. The discussions held on 30th January at Fernandez Stork Home highlighted the importance of evidence-based approaches in addressing maternal and child health challenges.

Professor Shakila Thangaratinam, Professor of Women's Health and India Lead at the University of Liverpool, delivered the keynote address. A recognised authority in systematic reviews and a key collaborator with the World Health Organization, she emphasised the need for collective efforts in improving health outcomes. "Research-driven partnerships like these bridge gaps between science and real-world impact.

By working together, we can turn evidence into action, ensuring that every woman, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status, receives the highest standard of care," said Professor Thangaratinam. The meet saw participation from representatives of the Government of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, UNICEF, and leading higher education institutions. Indie Kaur, Director of Midwifery at Fernandez Foundation, highlighted the critical role of midwife-led care models in ensuring safe, respectful, and high-quality maternity care.

"Midwifery is the backbone of safe and respectful maternity care. By integrating midwife-led models of care with cutting-edge research, we can create a future where every woman experiences a positive and empowered childbirth journey," she noted. Gareth Owen, Deputy British High Commissioner to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, underscored the UK’s commitment to fostering impactful research collaborations with India.

"The UK and India share a rich history of academic and healthcare collaborations. This partnership in women's health research is a testament to our shared ambition of improving maternal and newborn care through innovation, evidence-based policy, and education," he said. Others present on the occasion were Dr Evita Fernandez, Chairperson & MD, Fernandez Foundation, Zelalem Birhanu Taffesse, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka & Telangana), Dr Anthony Vipin Das, Chairperson, Fernandez Innovations Forum, Dr Anil Kumar, Additional Director, Maternal & Child Health, Government of Andhra Pradesh and Dr Sumitra, Programme Officer, Maternal & Child Health, Government of Telangana.

With experts and key stakeholders engaging in discussions, the UK-India Research Partnership Meet set the stage for future collaborations, funding opportunities, and knowledge exchange aimed at improving healthcare outcomes for women across India and beyond..