India on Wednesday informed the 78th World Health Assembly that it has been making transformative strides under flagship initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, which has "dramatically expanded" access to comprehensive healthcare.
Representing the Indian delegation at the Plenary session of the WHA, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said, "The programme has expanded access to comprehensive healthcare, improved infrastructure, provided financial protection for advanced treatments and accelerated digital health adoption, paving the way toward Universal Health Coverage".
Srivastava also highlighted India's efforts in maternal health, family planning, childhood mortality and stillbirths' reduction, which she said, have been acknowledged by global bodies, including the United Nations Population Fund and the UN Inter-Agency Group.
"India was recently certified as Trachoma-Free by WHO, and the nation is committed to eliminating diseases such as TB, Leprosy, Lymphatic Filariasis, Measles, Rubella, and Kala-azar," she said.
Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. It spreads through direct contact with eye or nose discharge from an infected person 바카라 often via contaminated fingers, clothing, or flies. Poor hygiene, overcrowded living conditions, and limited access to clean water and sanitation are key factors that fuel its transmission.
The Union Health Secretary pointed out that in a major policy step, India has extended health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to all citizens above 70 years of age, regardless of their economic status.
"We have also doubled the number of medical colleges from 387 to 780 in the past decade to train future healthcare professionals," she stated.
The Union Health Secretary also reiterated India바카라s strong support for a legal, binding framework that enhances global cooperation while respecting national sovereignty and capacities.
바카라The Pandemic agreement must ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures, timely and transparent data and pathogen sharing; and promote technology sharing and capacity building, particularly for the Global South바카라, she added.
The 78th World Health Assembly is scheduled to run from May 19 to 27 under the theme "One World for Health."
