Union Health Minister J P Nadda announced a significant shift in India's healthcare strategy, focusing equally on disease prevention and quality treatment during a health conference in New Delhi on Thursday. Addressing attendees at the India Habitat Centre, Nadda highlighted the country's rapid progress toward self-reliance and accessibility in medical services.
Expanding Preventive Healthcare Network
The government is aggressively expanding the network of wellness centres across the nation, where regular health check-ups will help detect potential health issues before they become serious. Nadda emphasized that these Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres are already providing free consultations, nutrition assessments, blood pressure monitoring, and sugar tests to the general public.
"Our objective is to provide the best medical facilities to the people of the country, and at the same time prevent diseases even before they develop," stated the Health Minister. He revealed that ASHA workers will now ensure every individual above 30 years undergoes regular health screening, enabling early detection of serious conditions including diabetes, heart diseases, hypertension, and cancer.
Ayushman Bharat: Coverage Without Age Barriers
Nadda highlighted a crucial advantage of the Ayushman Bharat scheme compared to private insurance. While private insurers often deny coverage to individuals above 70 years, the government scheme provides health coverage without any age limit or income restrictions. This ensures that senior citizens, who often need healthcare the most, aren't left vulnerable during medical emergencies.
Dr Raj Bahadur, chairman of AIIMS-Rishikesh and renowned spine specialist, endorsed this view, stating that amidst rising medical expenses, Ayushman Bharat has proven to be a lifeline for the poor. He confirmed that over 42 crore Ayushman cards have been issued, providing eligible citizens with cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh.
Honoring Medical Excellence
The health conference, jointly organized by Sarv Kalyankari Trust and SRS Foundation, also served as a platform to recognize outstanding contributions to medical science. Four distinguished doctors from PGIMER, Chandigarh received awards for their exemplary work in various specialties.
The honored medical professionals included Dr Himanshu Bhayana (orthopaedics), Dr Jaamanti Bakhshi (ENT), Dr Surinder Singh Rana (gastroenterology), and Dr Naveen Sankhyan (paediatric neurology). Additionally, Dr Gurvinder Pal Thami, Director-Principal of Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, was recognized for his leadership in medical administration and dermatology.
Dr Raj Bahadur himself received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Orthopaedics & Medical Education Leadership for his substantial contributions to the medical field.
TB Elimination and Community Participation
Focusing on specific health missions, Nadda discussed the tuberculosis elimination program, highlighting the deployment of digital X-ray facilities capable of generating reports within just one minute. This technological advancement enables faster diagnosis even in remote regions, ensuring timely treatment initiation.
"Our target is to make a patient completely TB-free within three months of treatment. Faster diagnosis means timely treatment — that is our greatest strength," Nadda asserted. He made a special appeal to social organizations to actively participate in bringing the public to wellness centres and spreading health awareness.
Sarv Kalyankari Trust president Abhishek Rana, who welcomed the chief guest, emphasized that government schemes can only be impactful when information reaches every citizen. He committed his trust's resources to taking health awareness to every village across the country.
The event saw participation from several prominent figures, including Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan, and trust members Rajendra Rana and Yashpal Aggarwal. SRS Foundation president Dr Sajan Sharma shared details about upcoming joint initiatives between the two organizations, signaling continued collaboration in the healthcare awareness domain.
