Maha uses Malaysian system to reduce neonatal deaths

The state government will use management practices followed by Malaysia to rein in neonatal deaths by monitoring the performance of the health officials concerned.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra cabinet decided to use Malaysian government's Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) system and its Big Fast Results (BFR) methodology in three state departments — health, school education, and water supply and sanitation.

This will help reduce neonatal deaths to single-digit numbers with special focus on tribal districts, revive dormant water supply schemes, and improve learning of schoolchildren.

"This will help us generate results for various policies by re-engineering management processes," said an official from the planning department, adding that an 11-week programme would be held for these departments to come up policies to change outcomes.

The NITI Aayog inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PEMANDU in 2015.

The project will be supervised by a ministerial committee under the planning minister, while the principal secretary (planning) will head a committee of secretaries of these three departments to supervise the project and release funds.

Andhra Pradesh has also signed an MoU with PEMANDU.