JP Nadda Leads WHO Southeast Asia Meeting in New Delhi
Union Health Minister JP Nadda has been elected as the Chairperson of the 77th Session of the Regional Committee of WHO Southeast Asia Region. In his inaugural speech, he highlighted India’s achievements in universal healthcare access. The meeting, held in New Delhi, included the election of office bearers and the establishment of a Drafting Group for Resolutions and decisions.
Dignitaries from Southeast Asia, including Razia Pendse from WHO Headquarters, Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk from Bhutan, and Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim from Maldives, attended the event. Nadda emphasized India’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana, a health assurance scheme covering over 120 million families with an annual benefit of USD 6,000 per family.
He also discussed India’s role in digital health, mentioning initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and e-Sanjeevani. Nadda highlighted India’s integration of traditional and conventional medicine, which led to the establishment of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Saima Wazed, Regional Director of WHO SEARO, noted the progress in reducing infant mortality rates since 1948 and emphasized the need to address new health challenges with modern tools. The three-day meeting aims to develop solutions for equitable health access in member states.
Doubts Revealed
JP Nadda -: JP Nadda is an Indian politician who is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has served as the Union Health Minister of India.
WHO -: WHO stands for the World Health Organization. It is a global organization that works to improve health and well-being around the world.
Southeast Asia Meeting -: This is a meeting organized by the WHO for countries in the Southeast Asia region to discuss health-related issues and solutions.
Ayushman Bharat scheme -: Ayushman Bharat is a health scheme launched by the Indian government to provide free healthcare services to poor and vulnerable families in India.
Saima Wazed -: Saima Wazed is a mental health expert and a member of WHO SEARO, which is the Southeast Asia Regional Office of the WHO. She works on health issues in the region.
Infant mortality -: Infant mortality refers to the death of babies under one year of age. Reducing infant mortality means fewer babies are dying, which is a sign of better healthcare.
