NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda inaugurated the 10th National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity: Best Practices Shaping India’s Health Future on Wednesday. During the event, he unveiled a series of major initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s public healthcare system and highlighted a historic milestone—achieving zero median out-of-pocket expenditure for outpatient care in government health facilities.
Addressing the summit hosted under the National Health Mission, Nadda emphasized the government’s shift toward a holistic healthcare model integrating preventive, promotive, curative, and palliative care. He noted that this transformation, driven under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, maintains a strong focus on accessibility, affordability, and quality.
A major highlight of the summit was the launch of several crucial digital and structural initiatives, including the Swasth Bharat Portal, the JANANI digital platform, the 17th Common Review Mission report, an integrated training module for primary healthcare teams, and the RBSK 2.0 guidelines aimed at fortifying child health services.
Citing recent findings from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava confirmed that the median out-of-pocket expenditure for outpatient care in public health facilities has officially dropped to zero, marking a massive leap in ensuring financial protection for citizens.
Minister Nadda also highlighted the expanding role of over 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. These centers now serve as the critical first point of contact for preventive care across the nation, driving large-scale screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
Additionally, he pointed to significant improvements in key national health indicators: institutional deliveries have surged to 89%, while under-five mortality and infant mortality rates have plummeted by 79% and 73%, respectively.
While acknowledging substantial progress, Nadda stressed the growing challenge posed by non-communicable diseases. He called for stronger follow-up systems, better treatment adherence, and enhanced coordination to ensure effective last-mile delivery.
Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini, who was present at the event, showcased his state’s proactive healthcare initiatives. He highlighted Haryana’s significantly increased health budget and the success of digital consultations through the eSanjeevani platform.
The summit concluded with a strong emphasis on digital transformation under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, with Nadda reminding stakeholders that effective implementation, timely resource utilization, and strong governance are key to future-proofing India’s healthcare system.
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