The partnership between the Royal Norwegian Embassy and IPE Global was further strengthened with the signing of the contract with enhanced terms for the administration of projects under Norway India Partnership Initiative. This project supports the collaboration between the Government of Norway and India, to reduce child mortality in India. The program supports interventions both at national and state levels (Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan), to test selected innovative approaches and provide strategic support to improve public service delivery structures. This includes introduction of Sick New-born Care Units (SNCUs) to provide facility based care for new-born with infections and a program of Home Based New-born Care (HBNC) targeting the first six weeks after birth, among several others. IPE also supports ‘National Dakshata Program’ to strengthen the labour room in health centres based on Dakshata guidelines, using technology to monitor the progress and provide support to health workers, harmonization of child health training packages, pre-service education in nursing and midwifery among others.
M.K. Padma Kumar is involved in developing strategies and managing operations for the IPE Global Group.
He has over 25 years of experience in the development sector, working in civil society organisations and international development agencies like DANIDA and DFID. As the Head of State Partnerships at the DFID India, he was responsible for developing partnerships, programme design, management and strategic oversight of all programmes implemented in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. He has managed various development programmes. His expertise lies in driving operational, financial and programmatic transformations. Before DFID, he was associated with Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Help Age and World Wildlife Fund.
He holds a Master’s degree in Business Management with specialisation in Human Resource Management and Finance. He is extensively trained in Project Cycle Management, Grant Management, Performance Management, Leadership Skills and Change Management.
