The time period set by the nations of the world in 2000 for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) comes to an end in December. Leaders from around the world met at the United Nations General Assembly in September to review the progress made and adopt the?Sustainable Development Goals. Here I want to posit that encouraging and fostering innovation and research is crucial to achieving these goals. In the past two decades, the world has witnessed unparalleled advancements in enhancing the quality of life for millions. Healthcare services employing innovative service delivery models and modern technology have improved the global rates for poverty, child mortality and burden of disease significantly. Child mortality rates have declined by more than half and the number of people living in extreme poverty has?come down from 1.9 billion in 1990 to 836 million in 2015. Read More at www.huffingtonpost.in