India Advocates for Universal Health Coverage and Digital Health at WHO SEARO Session

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda reaffirmed India’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through a “whole of government” and “whole of society” approach during his inaugural address at the 77th session of the World Health Organization Southeast Asia Region (SEARO) meeting. He emphasized that India is focusing on strengthening primary healthcare and essential services to achieve UHC.

The opening session included the election of office bearers, the establishment of a “Drafting Group for Resolutions and Decisions,” and the adoption of “Special Procedures” to regulate the session's conduct. Key dignitaries attending the event included health ministers and representatives from Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Timor Leste, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, as well as WHO officials.

Highlighting India’s flagship health initiatives, Shri Nadda stated, “In line with the commitment to provide health cover for all, the Union Government launched the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

This initiative covers over 120 million families, providing an annual hospitalization benefit of USD 6,000 per family.”

He announced that the scheme had recently been expanded to cover all citizens aged 70 and above, benefitting around 45 million families and 60 million elderly citizens. “This expansion underscores the government's commitment to ensuring universal and inclusive healthcare for India’s growing elderly demographic,” he said.

The Union Health Minister also recognized the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India, which prompted the launch of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs in 2010.

“India is implementing the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs to address conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This initiative has led to the establishment of 753 NCD clinics, 356 Day Care Centers, and 6,238 Community Health Centers to focus on preventive measures at an early stage,” he remarked.

Shri Nadda further spotlighted India’s advancements in digital health infrastructure, positioning the country as a leader in this arena. “India as a lighthouse country in the digital health arena, is poised to share its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPIs) such as Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, e-Sanjeevani, Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), and SAKSHAM by providing technical and financial support through the Global Initiative on Digital Health – a WHO-managed network, launched during India’s G20 Presidency,” he stated.

He also introduced UWIN, a digital platform conceptualized for the Universal Immunization Programme, which will track and monitor vaccination events across the country.

In addition to modern health technologies, Shri Nadda emphasized the importance of traditional and complementary medicine. “India’s experience in integrating this system with the conventional system of medicine has led to the provision of holistic healthcare, promoting overall well-being and expanding the range of healthcare services,” he said.

He also noted the success of Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs, which serve as community Health and Wellness Centres, providing both traditional and conventional medical services.

The session was further enriched by remarks from Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO SEARO, who reflected on the progress made since the formation of the SEARO in 1948.

“In 1948, when the first Regional Committee for South-East Asia was formed, the infant mortality rate globally was around 147. Today it is 25. Then, the antibiotic age had just begun. Today, we are faced with antimicrobial resistance,” she said, calling for collective action to tackle emerging global health threats.

The event was attended by senior officials from the Union Health Ministry, including Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary, and Dr. Rodrigo Offrin, WHO Representative to India.