Modi first Indian PM to prioritise universal health coverage: Lancet

Narendra Modi is the first prime minister of India, which is engulfed in a "swirling epidemic of non-communicable diseases", to have prioritised universal health coverage as part of his political platform under the 'Ayushman Bharat' programme, a noted UK-based medical journal has said.

Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the 'The Lancet', said the prime minister has grasped the importance of health not only as a natural right of citizens, but also as a political instrument to meet the growing expectations of India's emerging middle class.

He, however, was critical of Rahul Gandhi, and said the Congress chief was "yet to match Modicare".

"Rahul Gandhi seeking to resurrect the Congress and prove that India's greatest political dynasty still has something to offer, despite his promises to help lower castes, tribal communities and rural poor, is yet to match Modicare,"
Referring to Gandhi's statement of 'There is a full-blown crisis in India' at the London School of Economics last month,
"Ayushman Bharat has two pillars -- the creation of 1,50,000 health and wellness centres across the country to provide a spine of primary care facilities to deliver universal health coverage; and the National Health Protection Mission (NHPM), a health insurance aimed at providing coverage of
Rs 5 lakh per family annually, thus benefiting more than
"While India is engulfed in this swirling epidemic of