Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said that India ensured the supply of medicines to 123 partner countries despite its own needs during the coronavirus pandemic. He was speaking during an online discussion with the health ministers of NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) countries. Tedros, Director-General, World Health Organisation was also present in the meeting.
Harsh Vardhan reiterated that India will always strive for the health of all. He said, "Despite its own needs, during the Covid-19 pandemic. We ensured supply of medicines to 123 partner countries, including 59 NAM nations. India has also been active in global efforts to develop diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for Covid-19 because we know and understand that no one is safe until everyone is safe."
According to an official statement from the health minister, "India is moving towards Universal Healthcare for All which means every citizen of India must get world quality treatment facilities. Meanwhile, Full immunisation coverage is increasing at a rapid pace with a greater emphasis on village-based micro-plans as we aim to enhance coverage to 90 percent in a year," an official statement quoted the health minister as saying.
Praising India's ambitious National Health Policy, he said, "Our flagship health initiative called Ayushman Bharat aims at providing free health assurance to over 500 million underprivileged people, making it the world's largest health assurance scheme. And we dream of making this scheme much bigger, ensuring it for every Indian! If a developing nation like India can dream of this level of 'health for all' policy. I think the rest of the world has to think even beyond this."
