India fast-tracked initiatives for universal health coverage: Nadda

Union Health Minister J P Nadda Monday said India has fast-tracked initiatives for universal health coverage (UHC) and his ministry is working "very hard" for effectively implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme - the largest government-funded health scheme in the world.

At the 71st session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia here, he said India supports the regional and global health agenda and stands ready to work with fellow member states and the international community to achieve the common goal of 'Health for All'.

Ayushman Bharat rests on the twin pillars of Health and Wellness Centres for provision of comprehensive primary healthcare services and the Prime Minister's National Health Protection Mission for secondary and tertiary care to 100 million families.

"Under the first pillar of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, we are reaching out to approximately 40 per cent of country's population roughly covering 500 million individuals, who will be provided an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to cover secondary and tertiary health-care.

"Initially spanning almost 1,300 procedures under 20 different specialties, this will be the largest government funded health protection scheme in the world," the Health Minister said.

He pointed out that under the second pillar, 1,50,000 health and wellness centres would bring healthcare closer to people, so that every Indian can have timely access to health care, including diagnostic services and free essential drugs.

"The Health Ministry is working very hard for effective implementation of Ayushman Bharat for a healthy, productive and prosperous India," Nadda said.

The member countries of the WHO's Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO), including India, are meeting to brainstorm on measures against vector-borne diseases and improving access to essential medicines.

The minister said, "India has fast-tracked many initiatives aimed at achieving all the core tenets of UHC i.e, strengthening health systems, improving access to free medicines; diagnostics and reducing catastrophic healthcare spending."