By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : May 20, 2026 1:46 pm
Union Health Minister highlights India’s progress in universal health coverage, digital health, AI strategy and global vaccine cooperation during plenary session in Geneva
Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, addressed the plenary session of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, reiterating India’s commitment to equitable, inclusive and people-centric healthcare under the guiding principle of “Health for All.”
Addressing the Assembly on the theme “Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility,” Nadda highlighted India’s comprehensive approach towards strengthening healthcare systems through a “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” framework.
He stated that India is accelerating towards Universal Health Coverage by expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare services across the country.
Highlighting the government’s efforts in strengthening primary healthcare delivery, the Union Health Minister informed delegates that India has established more than 1,85,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to provide comprehensive healthcare services closer to communities.
Nadda also underlined India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and emergency response systems to improve pandemic preparedness and build resilient public health systems capable of addressing future health challenges.
Speaking on the growing role of technology in healthcare, he noted that the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is strengthening India’s digital health ecosystem by creating over 880 million unique digital health identities, enabling longitudinal health records and seamless continuity of care.
The minister further highlighted the impact of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, describing it as the world’s largest public health assurance scheme, covering nearly 600 million beneficiaries, especially among vulnerable populations.
On artificial intelligence in healthcare, health minister informed the Assembly that India has recently launched the Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India. He stressed the importance of building ethical and human-centric AI systems through global collaboration.