Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva today via videoconferencing, aligning India’s healthcare reforms with the event’s theme, “One World for Health.”
Reflecting on his previous address at the 2023 assembly, PM Modi reiterated the philosophy of “One Earth, One Health” and stressed the importance of inclusion, integration, and international cooperation in building a healthier world.
Highlighting India’s commitment to equitable healthcare, Modi spoke extensively on Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest health insurance scheme covering 580 million people, now expanded to include all citizens over 70 years old. He underscored the role of Health and Wellness Centres in early disease detection and emphasized the affordability of medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras (public pharmacies).
PM Modi also showcased India’s digital health transformation, including a unique digital health identity system and the national telemedicine service, which has facilitated over 340 million consultations. These advancements, he noted, have significantly reduced Out-of-Pocket Expenditure and increased public health spending.
He called for global attention to vulnerable populations, particularly in the Global South, offering India’s scalable and sustainable health models as examples. He encouraged participation in the upcoming International Day of Yoga, highlighting the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
Congratulating WHO and member nations on the INB treaty, he reaffirmed India’s support for global pandemic preparedness. Concluding, PM Modi cited an ancient Vedic prayer for global well-being, expressing hope for a united global health future.
