India, April 22 -- In low- and middle-income countries, 43 per cent of children under the age of five face challenges in reaching their developmental potential due to factors like extreme poverty and growth stunting.

This not only results in financial losses but also predicts a 26 per cent reduction in annual earnings during adulthood. Against such disturbing background, the Government's top think tank Niti Aayog's has come forward to set up the high-level panel to formulate policies for primary, secondary, and tertiary level hospitals in the country. Spearheaded by Dr RK Dhamija who is also the Director of the Delhi-based Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Services (IHBAS), the task force has nine members.

These are Dr Manjri Trip...