Here today, at the 76th session of the World Health Organisation Regional Committee for South-East Asia, was the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, joined him remotely. Additionally, Dr. Mandaviya was unanimously chosen to lead the South-East Asia regional committee during its 76th session.
The Union Health Minister reaffirmed the goal of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, saying that “health is the ultimate wealth and with good health, every task can be accomplished.” “We are following a holistic and inclusive approach in India,” he emphasised. We are extending the health infrastructure, supporting conventional medical practises, and offering everyone access to affordable healthcare in line with the vision of universal health coverage, all with the unwavering goal of leaving no one behind.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya lauded the progress of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) which have played an instrumental role in providing a comprehensive array of primary healthcare services. He cited “As of October 24, 2023, AB-HWCs have recorded over 2,110 million footfalls. The impact is resounding with individuals availing free drugs over 1,830 million times and diagnostic services over 873 million times”. He further added “26 million wellness sessions have been conducted engaging more than 306 million people.”
Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the strengthening of the digital health framework and physical infrastructure through initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and PM-ABHIM. He emphasized the positive health outcomes and reductions in out-of-pocket expenditures in India’s primary health centres through AB-HWC, which will become a model for other countries in health sector reforms.
The WHO SEARO building, awarded to National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC), aims to provide a hub for collaboration, research, and knowledge exchange among health professionals to address regional health challenges.
Union Health Secretary Shri Sudhansh Pant highlighted the establishment of the South-East Asia Regional Forum for primary health care (PHC)-oriented health systems as a pivotal moment in fostering knowledge sharing and collaborative support. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended India’s progress in operationalizing over 1,50,000 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres and received the 2022 UN Interagency Task Force and WHO Special Programme on PHC award for its Hypertension Control Initiative, which has treated over 4 million people.
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Source: PIB
