India, Sweden sign agreement for cooperation in health care

New Delhi, Feb 24 : India and Sweden Tuesday inked an agreement for bilateral cooperation in the area of public health, especially strengthening midwifery and nursing skills.

"Sweden's achievements in the area of midwifery and maternal and infant health have a lot to offer for Indian efforts," Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said after the agreement was signed.

For coordination and implementation of the agreement, a joint working group of officials from India and Sweden was set up. The working group met immediately after the signing of agreement and will meet every year.

Controlling the risk factor of alcohol, strengthening of midwifery and nursing skills and maternal and child health will be the priority areas.

The working group decided to develop a joint strategy to deal with the harm caused by alcohol use.