BLUEPRINT FOR A HEALTHY INDIA

Excerpts from the keynote address by Anupriya Patel, Union minister of state for health & family welfare and chemicals & fertilisers

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We all understand health care is one of the most critical pillars of the society. Because it is not just contributing to an individual's well-being, but it also promotes economic prosperity and societal stability. And world over, there are numerous health challenges that communities are grappling with, which range from the emerging and infectious diseases to antimicrobial resistance, to mental health risks, to climate health-related risks.

And of course, the one that has been pointed out by Riyad ji [Mathew, chief associate editor and director, THE WEEK]—the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases. And we also understand that diseases today are not contained within the national borders, they tend to trespass.

And which is why what is required today is not just national action plans, but also global action plans. The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of health care systems worldwide, and highlighted the urgent need to build robust frameworks, not just nationally or domestically, but also globally. Pandemics can hit us anytime. Today, the major concern of governments world over is universal health coverage.

Every country is making a steadfast move to achieve that. For a country like ours, universal health coverage is a huge task. We have 17 per cent of the world's population, and 20 per cent of the global disease burden. So, when we say that we want to ensure quality, accessible, affordable health care to every citizen, that is a big challenge. But I am proud to say that the government of India has an unwavering commitment to achieve this.