India Reaffirms Commitment to Global Health at 78th World Health Assembly

India made a significant statement at the 78th World Health Assembly, emphasizing its dedication to global health equity under the theme “One World for Health.” Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava led the Indian delegation, congratulating newly elected committee chairs and expressing optimism for fruitful international collaboration. She highlighted India’s advancements in healthcare and its commitment to universal health coverage.

Commitment to Universal Health Coverage

During her address, Smt. Srivastava underscored India’s commitment to inclusive healthcare, showcasing the transformative impact of flagship initiatives like Ayushman Bharat. This program has significantly broadened access to comprehensive healthcare services, improved infrastructure, and provided financial protection for advanced medical treatments. The initiative has also accelerated the adoption of digital health technologies, paving the way toward achieving Universal Health Coverage. Smt. Srivastava stated, “The program has expanded access to comprehensive healthcare, improved infrastructure, provided financial protection for advanced treatments, and accelerated digital health adoption.”

Global Recognition of Health Initiatives

Smt. Srivastava highlighted India’s achievements in various health sectors, including maternal health, family planning, and the reduction of childhood mortality and stillbirths. These efforts have garnered recognition from international organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund and the UN Inter-Agency Group. Notably, India was recently certified as Trachoma-Free by the World Health Organization (WHO). The country is also committed to eradicating diseases like tuberculosis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, measles, rubella, and kala-azar, showcasing its dedication to improving public health.

Expanding Health Coverage and Education

In a significant policy move, India has expanded health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to include all citizens over the age of 70, regardless of their economic status. Smt. Srivastava also noted that the number of medical colleges in India has doubled from 387 to 780 over the past decade, aiming to train the next generation of healthcare professionals. This expansion reflects India’s commitment to enhancing healthcare education and ensuring a robust healthcare workforce.

Support for Global Health Cooperation

The Union Health Secretary reiterated India’s strong support for a legally binding framework that promotes global cooperation while respecting national sovereignty. She emphasized the need for a pandemic agreement that ensures equitable access to medical countermeasures, timely data sharing, and technology transfer, particularly for countries in the Global South. In closing, Smt. Srivastava congratulated the WHO and member states on their progress toward advancing the Pandemic Treaty, stressing the importance of addressing future health challenges with a commitment to inclusivity and equity.

Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.

Follow Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn