Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva nearly from New Delhi on Tuesday, highlighting India’s contributions to international well being tasks below the unifying theme of “One World for Health.”
PM Modi discussed India’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, the sector’s biggest medical health insurance program, which covers 580 million other folks and offers loose remedy. He defined 3 cores for the way forward for a wholesome global — inclusion, built-in imaginative and prescient and collaboration.
“The future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, integrated vision and collaboration. Inclusion is at the core of India’s health reforms. We run Ayushman Bharat – the world’s largest health insurance scheme. It covers 580 million people and provides free treatment. This program was recently extended to cover all Indians above 70 years,” mentioned PM Modi.
He emphasized India’s community of well being and wellness centres, which display screen and discover sicknesses like most cancers, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
“We have a network of thousands of health and wellness centres. They screen and detect diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension. Thousands of public pharmacists provide high-quality medicines at far less than the market price,” added PM Modi.
PM Modi invited nations to take part within the International Day of Yoga, with the theme “Yoga for One Earth One Health.”
“In June, the 11th International Day of Yoga is coming up. This year’s theme is ‘Yoga for One Earth One Health.’ Being from the nation that gave yoga to the world, I invite all countries to participate,” mentioned PM Modi.
PM Modi congratulated the WHO and member states at the a success negotiations of the INB Treaty, aimed toward preventing long term pandemics with better cooperation.
“I congratulate the WHO and all Member States on the successful negotiations of the INB Treaty. It is a shared commitment to fight future pandemics with greater cooperation while building a healthy planet. Let us ensure that no one is left behind,” he mentioned.
The INB was once established in December 2021, at a distinct consultation of the World Health Assembly, bringing in combination Member States and related stakeholders, together with global organizations, personal sector, and civil society.
At the World Health Assembly in June 2024, governments made concrete commitments to finish negotiations on a world pandemic settlement inside a 12 months. The upcoming Assembly, beginning May 19, 2025, will believe the proposal evolved by way of the INB and make a decision whether or not to undertake the software below Article 19 of the WHO Constitution.
PM Modi additionally highlighted India’s virtual well being tasks, together with a platform to trace vaccination and a telemedicine carrier enabling over 340 million consultations.
“Technology is an important catalyst to improve health outcomes. We have a digital platform to track the vaccination of pregnant women and children. Millions of people have a unique digital health identity. It helps us integrate benefits, insurance, records, and information. With telemedicine, nobody is too far from a doctor. Our free telemedicine service has enabled over 340 million consultations,” he added.
PM Modi presented to percentage India’s learnings and absolute best practices with the Global South, in particular in addressing well being demanding situations.
“The health of the world depends on how well we care for the most vulnerable. The Global South is particularly impacted by health challenges. India’s approach offers replicable, scalable and sustainable models. We would be happy to share our learnings and best practices with the world, especially the Global South,” he added.
PM Modi additionally highlighted that India’s tasks have introduced down the out-of-pocket expenditure as a proportion of general well being expenditure considerably, whilst executive well being expenditure has long past up significantly.
“Thousands of public pharmacies across the country provide high-quality medicines at prices significantly lower than market rates, increasing access to essential drugs for all,” he added.
He concluded his speech with a verse from the Vedas, calling for common well-being: Sarwey bhawantu sukhin sarwey santu niramaya. Sarwey bhadrani pasyantu maa kashichit dukhbhag bahavate (May all be at liberty, might all be loose from sickness, might all see what’s auspicious, might nobody undergo).
Apart from this, after India was once conferred the certificates of removing of Trachoma as a public well being drawback on the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Union Health Minister JP Nadda lauded this fulfillment and mentioned it was once a proud second for the country.
In a submit on X, JP Nadda mentioned, “A proud moment for the nation at WHA78 (World Health Assembly) India has been conferred the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO, at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva.”