New Delhi, 21 May (IANS). India on Wednesday reiterated their commitment to global health equality in the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.
The Indian delegation led by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized the transformational steps made under the major scheme like ‘Ayushman Bharat’, which has widely expanded healthcare.
He said, “The program has widely expanded the access to healthcare, improved infrastructure, provided financial security for better treatments and expedited digital health, paving the way for universal health coverage.”
The Union Health Secretary highlighted India’s efforts to reduce maternal health, family planning, child mortality and dead births. He said, “India was recently certified by WHO as Trachoma-free. The country is committed to eliminating diseases like tuberculosis (TB), leprosy, lymph filaria, measles, rubella and kalazar.”
He added, “In a major policy step, India has increased health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana for all citizens above 70 years of age, regardless of economic condition.”
The Health Secretary said, “We have increased the number of medical colleges from 387 to 780 in the last decade to train future health professionals.”
Srivastava also reiterated India’s strong support for the legal, binding structure that enhances global cooperation, respecting national sovereignty and capabilities. He also congratulated the WHO and member countries on the historical progress made to pursue the epidemic treaty.
The consolidation of WHO member countries in WHA unanimously adopted the objective of global healthcare gaps and inequalities in terms of future epidemics.
He emphasized the importance of facing future health challenges and committed to ensure that no one was left behind.
-IANS
PAK/ABM
