India Shares Healthcare Progress at UN General Assembly, Emphasizes Universal Health Coverage and Sickle Cell Elimination
At the 81st UN General Assembly (UNGA81), India showcased its achievements and goals in the areas of Universal Health Coverage, hepatitis elimination, and sickle cell anemia care.
During the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) held in New York, India reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring affordable and quality healthcare for all. India shared its experiences in strengthening public health systems on the global stage.
Union Health Secretary Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava participated in the seventh annual ministerial meeting of the 'Group of Friends of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Global Health.' She stated that India is bringing healthcare services closer to communities through a network of more than 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. These centers provide services such as reproductive and child health, screening for non-communicable diseases, mental health, and elderly care. She also highlighted the role of the 'Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana' (AB-PMJAY), the 'Free Drugs and Diagnostics Service,' and the 'Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme' for the underprivileged sections of society.
Mentioning progress in the field of digital health, the Health Secretary noted that more than 90 crore citizens in India now possess a Unique Health Identity. Additionally, over 49.7 crore tele-consultations have been provided through e-Sanjeevani.
Discussing hepatitis elimination, India expressed its resolve to eliminate Hepatitis B and C by 2030. Under the National Health Mission (NHM), screening and treatment are being conducted through approximately 1.80 lakh primary health facilities and 1,039 treatment centers. Since the launch of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program in 2018, approximately 22.5 crore beneficiaries have been screened.
Furthermore, India co-hosted 'OneSCD: A Global Partnership to Bring Equity and Change in Sickle Cell Care.' This global initiative included partners such as the Government of Nigeria, WHO, UNICEF, Africa CDC, the World Coalition on Sickle Cell Disease, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Ms. Srivastava stated that the 'National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission,' launched in 2023 under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, aims to eliminate this disease as a public health problem by 2047. Under this mission, more than 7.29 crore people have been screened so far, identifying 20 lakh carriers and 2.5 lakh patients. Additionally, over 4.93 crore sickle cell cards have been distributed.
