New Delhi, 20 May (H.S.): Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda held a bilateral meeting in Geneva with Helen Clark, Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), the world’s largest alliance for the health of women, children, and adolescents, during the 79th World Health Assembly. During the meeting, India reaffirmed its commitment to the health of women, children, and adolescents. In his address, Nadda said that India has been associated with PMNCH since 2005 and has continued to play an active role in the global health agenda.

He informed that India is playing an active leadership role in PMNCH as Vice Chair and Chair of the Standing Committee. He also stated that the process of continuing India’s annual financial contribution of USD 2 million to PMNCH is underway.

The Health Minister said, “India has been a leader in innovation and large-scale delivery of healthcare services. We have always prioritised the health of women, children, and adolescents.”

He further informed that India was among the first countries to launch a dedicated national programme for adolescents in 2014. This programme is reaching young people through schools, health centres, and community-level interventions.

Highlighting achievements in maternal and child health, J.P. Nadda said that India has recorded a faster-than-global-average decline in both maternal mortality and infant mortality rates.

He added that India has several successful and evidence-based health initiatives that can be shared with other countries. India is also ready to support other nations through technical cooperation and digital health solutions.

During the meeting, Nadda invoked the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and said that India considers the entire world as one family and believes in collective efforts to address global health challenges.

Helen Clark appreciated India’s leadership role and contributions in the global health sector.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar