Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva via videoconferencing, emphasizing India’s commitment to global health and equitable access to medical advancements. He highlighted the assembly’s theme, “One World for Health,” which aligns with India’s vision for a unified, collaborative approach to healthcare worldwide.
Modi reiterated that the future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, integration, and collective effort. He highlighted India’s health reforms, particularly Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest health insurance scheme, which now covers 580 million people and recently expanded to include all Indians above 70 years of age. He stressed the importance of early disease screening, widespread availability of affordable medicines, and the transformative role of technology in healthcare delivery.
India’s digital health initiatives—including a nationwide vaccination tracking system, an integrated health identity database, and free telemedicine services—were cited as models that can be replicated globally, particularly across the Global South. Modi noted that India’s free telemedicine platform has facilitated over 340 million consultations, ensuring no citizen is too far from essential medical care.
Pointing to India’s declining Out-of-Pocket Expenditure on healthcare and the simultaneous increase in Government Health Expenditure, Modi emphasized India’s evolving healthcare strategy as a blueprint for sustainable health policies worldwide. He invited nations to collaborate on scalable healthcare solutions that prioritize vulnerable populations.
Highlighting the upcoming 11th International Day of Yoga, Modi introduced this year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” and extended an invitation for global participation. He positioned Yoga as a holistic approach to well-being, reinforcing India’s role as a leader in integrative health practices.
Congratulating the World Health Organization and member states on the successful negotiation of the INB treaty, Modi described it as a collective commitment to tackling future pandemics through enhanced global cooperation.
Concluding his address, Modi invoked a prayer from the Vedas, reflecting on India’s ancient vision of universal health and happiness. He reaffirmed India’s dedication to fostering a healthy planet while ensuring that no one is left behind in the global healthcare movement.
