NEW DELHI, Sept 10: World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has praised India’s progress in strengthening its healthcare system, particularly in the areas of primary healthcare, maternal and child health and disease prevention.
During discussions with Union Health Minister J P Nadda, the WHO chief highlighted the role of India’s Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in bringing essential health screening and services closer to communities.
The contribution of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in supporting women and children was also highlighted during the interaction. These frontline workers play an important role in connecting communities with health services and supporting mothers and children from pregnancy through adolescence.
The discussions also covered India’s efforts to strengthen the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, which have emerged as a major public health challenge.
TB elimination was another key area of focus. India has been working to improve early detection, treatment and community level interventions as part of its broader strategy to reduce the burden of tuberculosis.
The meeting took place as health ministers and officials from the WHO South-East Asia Region stepped up commitments to address gaps in TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
The WHO South-East Asia Region said on September 9 that member states had committed to stronger and more integrated action to accelerate progress towards ending tuberculosis. The approach includes earlier diagnosis and improved access to quality treatment.
The recognition from the WHO leadership comes amid India’s continuing efforts to expand healthcare access beyond major hospitals and urban centres.
Primary healthcare facilities and community health workers remain central to this approach, particularly in reaching vulnerable populations and ensuring that preventive services are available closer to people’s homes.
The discussions between Tedros and Nadda also underlined the importance of stronger health systems, preventive care and sustained international cooperation in addressing both infectious and non-communicable diseases.