New York: India used the global platform of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York to showcase its efforts towards expanding healthcare access, strengthening disease-control programmes and using technology to reach underserved communities.
At key health engagements held on the sidelines of the UNGA, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted India’s progress in universal health coverage, viral hepatitis control and sickle cell disease care. The discussions also provided an opportunity for India to share its experience of building a healthcare system that connects primary care with specialised services while attempting to reduce the financial burden on patients.
More than 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
Speaking at the Seventh Annual Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Universal Health Coverage and Global Health, Srivastava highlighted India’s network of more than 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
These centres provide services ranging from reproductive and child healthcare to screening for non-communicable diseases, mental healthcare, elderly and palliative care, as well as preventive and curative services. The government has also emphasised quality standards in primary healthcare delivery.
The Union Health Secretary also pointed to Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, the Free Drugs and Diagnostics Service Initiative and the Prime Minister’s National Dialysis Programme as measures aimed at improving access while reducing healthcare expenses for vulnerable and underserved populations.
Digital healthcare reaches hundreds of millions
Technology was another major part of India’s presentation.
According to the Health Ministry, more than 900 million citizens have unique health identities, while interoperable digital registries and ABHA-enabled health records are being used to strengthen continuity of care.
India’s e-Sanjeevani platform has also facilitated more than 497 million teleconsultations. Other technology-enabled services, including teleradiology, AI-enabled X-rays and Mobile Medical Units, are being used to help overcome geographical barriers and extend healthcare to remote areas.
Push to eliminate viral hepatitis
At a UNGA81 side event focused on eliminating hepatitis, India reiterated its commitment to the global 2030 goal of eliminating Hepatitis B and C as public health threats.
Under the National Health Mission, viral hepatitis screening has expanded across nearly 1.8 lakh primary healthcare facilities, with the programme now covering 1,039 treatment centres. Since the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme was launched in 2018, nearly 225 million beneficiaries have been screened, according to the Health Ministry.
The approach also includes prevention measures, including efforts to reduce mother-to-child transmission, alongside early diagnosis and access to treatment.
India joins global sickle cell partnership
Sickle cell disease was another major focus during India’s participation at UNGA81.
India co-hosted the launch of OneSCD: A Global Partnership to Advance Equity and Transform Sickle Cell Care, bringing together international organisations and governments to strengthen global cooperation on sickle cell disease.
The Union Health Secretary highlighted India’s National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched in 2023 with a long-term goal of eliminating sickle cell anaemia as a public health problem by 2047. The programme combines screening, early diagnosis, counselling, treatment, follow-up and digital tracking.
So far, more than 7.29 crore people have been screened, over 20 lakh carriers identified and around 2.5 lakh people diagnosed, while more than 4.93 crore sickle cell cards have been distributed.
Taking India’s healthcare experience to the global stage
India’s participation at UNGA81 placed its public-health programmes within a broader international conversation about making healthcare more accessible, affordable and people-centred.
From community-level primary care and financial protection to digital health and disease-specific programmes, the country highlighted several approaches it says are helping strengthen healthcare delivery across different levels.
The discussions in New York also underscored the importance of international cooperation, particularly in tackling diseases such as hepatitis and sickle cell disease that require sustained screening, treatment and follow-up.
For India, the UNGA engagement provided an opportunity not only to present its healthcare achievements but also to emphasise the continuing importance of technology, early diagnosis, accessible treatment and stronger public-health systems in improving health outcomes.