146th WHO EB Agenda item 7.1: Universal health coverage: moving together to build a healthier world (Follow-up to the high level meetings of UNGA)– Delivered by Dr. Sadre Alam, First Secretary
Thank you Mr. Chair,
We are glad to note that UHC continues to be a key area of focus and that the WHO is cognizant of and taking action to promote efforts at monitoring country progress.
At the High Level meeting in September 2019, our Prime Minister made a strong commitment towards achievement of UHC. To address health care holistically, ensure equitable access to healthcare and to address the issue of out of pocket expenditure, lndia launched the Ayushman Bharat Scheme in 2018 with its twin components of Health and Wellness Centres targeted to provide comprehensive primary health care; and Prime Minister Jan Arogya Scheme (PMJAY) to provide protection against catastrophic health expenditure to more than 100 million socially and economically weaker households in the country.
Mr. Chair,
We have already shared progress being made to strengthen our primary health care which is comprehensive, universal and free for all, through Health and Wellness Centres. In the recent budgetary announcement, the government has committed to expanding the infrastructure for health, ensuring the availability of doctors including specialists and increasing access to medicines, both through increased investments in public health systems and through partnerships with the private sector with focus on creating health facilities in districts with poor health indicators and high percentage of vulnerable populations, as a measure towards ensuring equity.
UHC is possible only through simultaneous action on determinants of health. Investment in health is investment in poverty alleviation, in generating jobs, in enhancing productivity, and in ensuring inclusive economic growth, and healthier, safer, and just societies. We are committed to increasing India's public health spending to sustain the pace and scale of reforms.
We stand committed to work together based on our own experience to address the national and global healthcare challenges.
Thank you.
