India has reiterated its unwavering commitment to global health equity and cooperation at the 78th World Health Assembly, held under the theme “One World for Health.”
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava addressed the plenary session in Geneva on Wednesday, outlining India’s healthcare progress and its vision for inclusive health systems both at home and across the Global South.
“India’s flagship Ayushman Bharat programme has dramatically expanded access to comprehensive healthcare, improved infrastructure, provided financial protection for advanced treatments, and accelerated digital health adoption,” she said.
India’s Healthcare Milestones
In her address, Srivastava highlighted key achievements:
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Ayushman Bharat now extends health coverage to all citizens above 70 years of age, regardless of income.
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The number of medical colleges in India has doubled from 387 to 780 in a decade.
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India has made significant progress in maternal health, family planning, and reducing childhood mortality, drawing recognition from the United Nations Population Fund and the UN Inter-Agency Group.
Additionally, she emphasized India’s recent success in disease control:
“India was recently certified Trachoma-Free by the WHO. We are committed to eliminating TB, Leprosy, Lymphatic Filariasis, Measles, Rubella, and Kala-azar,” she noted.
Global Leadership and Pandemic Preparedness
Ms. Srivastava stressed the importance of a binding international framework for pandemic preparedness, one that respects national sovereignty while ensuring global cooperation.
“The pandemic agreement must guarantee equitable access to medical resources, promote timely data and pathogen sharing, and strengthen technology access—especially for the Global South,” she said.
A Vision for Health Justice
India’s message was clear: Universal health coverage must be inclusive, accessible, and equitable, leaving no one behind. Srivastava applauded the WHO and member states for their efforts on the Pandemic Treaty, emphasizing India’s support for fairer global health systems rooted in mutual respect and shared responsibility.
