WHO Chief Praises Indias Health Model, Highlights Role of ASHA Workers

Dili, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has praised India’s significant advancements in the health sector. He specifically highlighted the expansion of primary health services, improvements in maternal and child health, and efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases.

During the 79th session of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee held in Dili, Timor-Leste, Tedros met with India’s Union Health Minister, JP Nadda. The two leaders discussed India’s health achievements and ongoing collaboration with the WHO.

On Thursday, Tedros took to social media platform X to express his appreciation. He congratulated Minister Nadda for the impressive progress in the nation’s health services, particularly in the fight against maternal and child health issues and non-communicable diseases.

He also commended the “Ayushman Arogya Mandir” initiative, which has enhanced access to primary health services and diagnostic facilities across the country. Tedros noted that through approximately 160,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, India is bringing screening for high blood pressure, diabetes, and common cancers closer to people’s homes. Additionally, there are referral arrangements for patients needing further treatment.

The WHO chief praised the extensive network of ASHA workers in India, emphasizing their vital role in delivering health services directly to communities, particularly aiding women, mothers, and children at various stages of life. He stated, “India’s ASHA workers exemplify how health services can reach people in their communities. They provide support to mothers and children from conception to adolescence.”

Tedros highlighted the continuous improvement in maternal and child health, noting that the expansion of vaccination coverage and the increase in institutional deliveries from 78% to 93% have contributed to this progress.

During their meeting, Tedros and Nadda also discussed India’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis, with the country ramping up its initiatives through extensive screening, improved diagnosis, treatment, and public health measures.

The two leaders considered strengthening regulations to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of medical products. They reviewed India’s ongoing collaboration with the WHO on global health priorities, including cooperation in traditional medicine and discussions on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system under the WHO Pandemic Accord.

This meeting took place as health ministers and representatives from South-East Asia gathered in Dili for the 79th session of the regional committee. The dialogue centered on India’s health sector advancements, robust primary health services, and its role in global health collaboration.