Health minister to meet US counterpart on first tour abroad

His visit aims to evaluate the progress of the US-India Health Initiative which was launched in 2010

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan began a five-day US visit on Tuesday. He will meet his counterpart and explore scope for cooperation and collaboration.

Vardhan, on his first official tour abroad since he assumed office, will meet the new US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, to evaluate the progress of the US-India Health Initiative, launched in 2010. He will attend meetings to discuss steps to consolidate the collaboration between the Indian government, United States Agency for International Development, United Nations Children’s Fund and others in ensuring an Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)-free generation.

Vardhan said, “We are on the cusp of exciting possibilities. I am looking to talks seeking collaboration on global health security, telehealth and preventive health care.”

Vardhan had on Monday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tell him on the agenda of his meetings.

He will also attend the annual India-US-Ethiopia initiative against child mortality, Call to action: A promise renewed. Health ministers from 25 countries are set to attend the meeting. Vardhan will deliver the keynote address.

He will deliver a keynote address at the 32nd annual convention of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday.

AAPI is the largest forum of ethnic medical professionals in the US with 138 local chapters.

Website Swastha India, a joint initiative of AAPI and the Indian government, will also be launched.

Vardhan said, “We are exploring more avenues for engaging AAPI in research, skill development and strengthening health care.”

“The prime minister is engaged with AAPI and this association will be pursued to achieve health outcomes on the ground.”