WHO chief hails India’s steps in advancing health coverage, Ayushman Bharat scheme

Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has praised India for advancing health and schemes.

The WHO chief made his remarks on health infrastructure while the inauguration ceremony of the ongoing G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar on Friday.

Dr Tedros begin his address by thanking India for its gracious hospitality and visionary leadership in hosting the G20 Summit.

WHO chief on India’s Ayushman Bharat scheme

He also hailed India’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, saying “I commend India for their steps in advancing Universal Health Coverage and the Ayushman Bharat scheme which is the world ‘s largest health assurance initiative.”

Recalling his visit to a Health and Wellness Centre, the WHO chief lauded the services being provided there.

“I visited a Health and Wellness Centre here in Gandhinagar and was impressed by the primary healthcare services being provided to 1000 households by the HWC,” he said in his address.

Further, he praised the telemedicine facilities provided in the state and thanked India’s G20 Presidency for the Global Digital Health Initiative to be launched today (August 19).

He said, “I commend the telemedicine services being provided here, which provide prescriptions and treatment locally. It is an excellent example of transforming healthcare. I also thank India G20 Presidency for taking leadership in the Global Digital Health Initiative which will be launched tomorrow.”

Speaking about the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that over 70 delegates from different countries have been participating in the G20 Health Ministers’ meeting and side event in Gandhinagar.

This meeting is held under India’s G20 Presidency from August 17 to 19 at Gujarat’s Gandhinagar.

Three priorities of G20 Health Minister’s Meeting

Notably, the key focus of the G20 Health Minister’s Meeting will be on the three priorities of the G20 Health Track:

• Health emergencies prevention, preparedness and response with a focus on anti-microbial resistance and One Health framework.
• Strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector with a focus on access and availability to safe, effective, quality and affordable medical countermeasures (Vaccines, Therapeutics and Diagnostics).
• Digital Health innovations and solutions to aid universal health coverage and improve healthcare service delivery.