Geneva: Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda has reaffirmed the continuation of India’s support to the World Health Organization (WHO) for strengthening the partnership and advancing global health outcomes for all.
Nadda made the comments after meeting Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, at the sidelines of the 79th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA). “Appreciate DG WHO’s warm welcome and recognition of India’s transformation in the health sector through initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs,” he wrote on X.
“Reaffirmed continuation of India’s support to the WHO for strengthening our partnership and advancing global health outcomes for all,” he added.
The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.
Nadda also noted that “this year’s theme, 'Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility', highlights the importance of collective action in addressing global health challenges. The assembly will bring together health ministers, dignitaries and public health experts from more than 165 countries, reaffirming the shared global commitment towards building stronger, more inclusive and resilient healthcare systems.”
Highlighting the transformative role of technology in healthcare, the Union Minister noted that the “Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is strengthening India’s national digital health ecosystem by creating over 880 million unique digital health identities, which facilitate longitudinal health records and a seamless continuum of care.”
Nadda also underlined the scale and impact of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the world’s largest public health assurance scheme, covering nearly 600 million beneficiaries, particularly the most vulnerable sections of society.
The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organisation, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.
