Union Health Minister JP Nadda has called for a comprehensive approach to healthcare, with greater focus on prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles, while addressing the recent World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG 2026) in New Delhi.

 

The four-day global congress, held in India for the first time, brought together leading gastroenterologists, clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals from India and abroad.

 

Addressing the inaugural session, Nadda said the government was strengthening healthcare delivery across primary, secondary and tertiary levels, while placing greater emphasis on preventive and promotive care.

 

"Under leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the National Health Policy of 2017 marked an important shift towards a comprehensive, holistic and inclusive approach to healthcare, encompassing preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative dimensions. 

 

"Under the policy framework, the Government is strengthening health systems across all levels of care, with emphasis on achieving an optimal balance between primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare and strengthening linkages between different levels of care."

 

He highlighted the role of nearly 1.86 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in taking comprehensive primary healthcare closer to communities. Population-based screening for people aged 30 and above has emerged as a key pillar of the government's preventive healthcare strategy.

 

According to Nadda, more than 420 million screenings have been conducted for hypertension and diabetes, while screenings have crossed 360 million for oral cancer, 170 million for breast cancer and 90 million for cervical cancer.

 

The Minister also pointed to government campaigns promoting healthier diets and active lifestyles, including FSSAI's Eat Right India initiative and Poshan Maah. He cited the Prime Minister's call to reduce oil consumption as part of efforts to tackle obesity.

 

On financial access to healthcare, Nadda highlighted Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which provides coverage of Rs. 5 lakh per family annually. The scheme now covers more than 600 million beneficiaries and has been extended to around 60 million people aged 70 and above, irrespective of economic status. More than 13 crore treatments have been provided under the scheme, involving expenditure exceeding Rs. 2 lakh crore.

 

He also cited the expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, now numbering more than 20,149, saying the initiative has helped citizens save around Rs. 45,000 crore on medicines.

 

WCOG 2026, themed “Transforming Gastrointestinal Health, Preserving Nature,” is jointly hosted by the Indian Society of Gastroenterology and World Gastroenterology Organisation, along with leading Indian medical bodies.

 

Nadda said the Congress would provide an important platform for global experts to exchange knowledge, advance research and develop innovative responses to gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

 

He also presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to distinguished veterans of gastroenterology, recognising their contributions to research, medical practice and patient care.

 

The scientific programme features lectures, debates, workshops, live demonstrations and research presentations, with experts from multiple disciplines participating.