New Delhi: Government today said it understands the need for improving delivery of public health provisions for growth of women and children who are the “bedrock” of a healthy nation and asserted its commitment to provide universal medical coverage through health insurance scheme.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda discussed various issues relating to the health sector in India with Melinda Gates, Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who called on him here.
Gates appreciated the initiatives taken by the Ministry towards strengthening the health system, particularly in the primary health care, in addition to the success of full immunisation through ‘Mission Indradhanush’.
“Government is committed to providing universal health coverage…through newly-declared scheme on health insurance.
“Government understands the significance of improving the delivery of public health provisions including vaccination, family planning and maternal health outcomes, in promoting all-round growth and development of women and children, who are the bedrock of a healthy nation,” Nadda said.
He was referring to the new health protection scheme announced by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, while presenting the budget 2016-17, that will provide health cover of up to Rs one lakh per family. Citizens, who are 60 years of age and above, will get an additional top-up package up to Rs 30,000.
He said that Rotavirus will soon be introduced in select states in the first phase.
The Health Minister also appreciated the efforts of the Gates Foundation in complimenting the initiatives of government in the health sector, which has enhanced the capacity of the health workers for more effective implementation of the projects.
“Gates expressed appreciation for the initiatives taken by the Ministry towards strengthening the health systems, particularly in the primary health care, in addition to the success of full immunisation through Mission Indradhanush and the resolve and commitment to launch new vaccines to protect the children and India’s population from various diseases,” an official statement said.
Gates said that the advances made in the area of immunisation, family planning, Kala Azar, health systems strengthening are indeed appreciable.