New Delhi, May 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the 78th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva via video conferencing, underlining India’s commitment to equitable and inclusive global health systems.
Speaking on this year’s WHA theme, ‘One World for Health’, the Prime Minister said it closely resonates with India’s long-standing vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’ and reiterated the need for inclusion, integrated vision, and global cooperation to ensure a healthy future for all.
“The future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, an integrated vision and collaboration. The health of the world depends on how well we care for the most vulnerable,” he emphasized.
PM Modi highlighted Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest health insurance scheme, as a model of inclusive healthcare, noting that it now covers over 580 million beneficiaries, including free treatment for all citizens above 70 years of age.
He pointed to India’s growing network of health and wellness centres, which enable early screening for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension, and also cited the contribution of thousands of public pharmacies that offer affordable, high-quality medicines.
On the role of digital health, the Prime Minister spoke of India’s integrated health tech platforms, including systems that track vaccinations for pregnant women and children, and a unique digital health ID connecting records, benefits, and services. He added that over 340 million consultations have taken place through India’s free telemedicine service, demonstrating how “no one is too far from a doctor.”
He also noted that out-of-pocket expenditure as a share of total health spending has declined in India, while government health expenditure has increased significantly—a sign of stronger public health infrastructure.
PM Modi emphasised India’s readiness to share replicable, scalable, and sustainable health solutions, especially with the Global South, which he said faces disproportionate health challenges. “Our approach offers models that can be adapted globally,” he said.
Looking ahead to the upcoming 11th International Day of Yoga in June, the Prime Minister invited the global community to participate in this year’s celebration themed ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’. “As the birthplace of Yoga, India takes pride in sharing this gift with the world,” he said.
The Prime Minister congratulated the World Health Organization (WHO) and its member states for the successful negotiation of the INB treaty, calling it a “shared commitment” to prevent and respond to future pandemics with global cooperation.
In his concluding remarks, PM Modi invoked a Vedic prayer for the well-being of all, reminding the world of India’s ancient vision of universal health and happiness. “Thousands of years ago, our sages prayed for a world where all are healthy and free of disease. Let us build that world together.”
