ODISHA, Feb 28: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda announced today that India is on track to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by the end of this year. Despite the global commitment to end TB by 2030, Nadda expressed confidence that the country will achieve this milestone ahead of schedule, citing significant efforts being made toward the goal.
Nadda was speaking at the inauguration of the 9th National Summit on Good, Replicable Practices and Innovation in Public Healthcare System in India at Puri, Odisha. He emphasized the significant reforms undertaken since the adoption of the new health policy in 2017, highlighting improvements such as the reduction in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) at double the global reduction rate. The country has also made substantial progress in controlling malaria.
During the event, the Minister also mentioned that the government is considering the establishment of daycare centers in every district to provide cancer treatment within 30 days of detection. Nadda shared that 90 percent of India’s population is benefiting from the ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme, which aims to provide affordable healthcare to the masses.
He further emphasized the need for robust infrastructure in the health sector, stressing that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is actively working on enhancing it. The two-day summit is attended by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha’s Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and health secretaries from various states.
