World Health Organisation Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commended India’s Ayushman Bharat Scheme and advanced health coverage during his speech at the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar. Dr Tedros expressed his gratitude towards India’s hospitality and visionary leadership as the host of the summit.
He praised India for its efforts in advancing Universal Health Coverage and described the Ayushman Bharat scheme as the world’s largest health assurance initiative. Dr Tedros recalled his visit to a Health and Wellness Centre in Gandhinagar, where he was impressed by the excellent primary healthcare services provided to 1000 households.
Acknowledging the provision of remote healthcare facilities in Gujarat, Dr Tedros thanked India for its G20 Presidency and its leadership in the upcoming Global Digital Health Initiative. He highlighted the e-medicine services and expressed appreciation for India’s role in the initiative’s launch.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya shared that over 70 delegates from various countries were participating in the G20 Health Ministers’ meeting and side event in Gandhinagar. The meeting, which focuses on health emergencies prevention, preparedness, and response, access to quality medical remedies, and digital health innovations, will conclude on August 19.
India, currently part of the G20 Troika with Indonesia and Brazil, assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2022. This Troika, for the first time, consists of three developing and emerging economies.
Mandaviya emphasized the holistic approach of the Modi government towards the health sector and noted the appreciation received for showcasing India’s Health model. The article concludes by summarizing the three key goals of the G20 Health Ministers’ meeting, which include addressing health emergencies, strengthening pharmaceutical cooperation, and promoting digital health solutions for better healthcare delivery.
In summary, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus lauded India’s Ayushman Bharat Scheme and advanced health coverage, expressing his admiration for the primary healthcare services provided in Gandhinagar. India’s G20 Presidency and launch of the Global Digital Health Initiative were also praised. The G20 Health Ministers’ meeting aims to address health emergencies, enhance pharmaceutical cooperation, and promote digital health innovations.
