India to Showcase Ayushman Bharat at World Health Assembly in Geneva

The 77th session of the WHA will gather representatives from 194 countries, aiming to shape the global health ecosystem.

India will spotlight its universal health coverage through the Ayushman Bharat program, its public health emergency preparedness, and advancements in digital health at the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.

The assembly, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), will take place from May 27 to June 1, as disclosed by official sources on Wednesday.

In addition to Ayushman Bharat, India will also present the Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube, a portable hospital equipped with advanced tools for disaster response and medical support.

This indigenous solution will be showcased as part of India's contributions to enhancing global health emergency responses.

About WHA

The 77th session of the WHA will gather representatives from 194 countries, aiming to shape the global health ecosystem.

This year's theme, "All for Health, Health for All," underscores the collective effort required to achieve universal health goals. The Indian delegation, led by Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra, will play a pivotal role in the assembly.

India will chair Committee A, which will facilitate discussions on key topics such as universal health coverage, public health emergency preparedness and response, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and sustainable financing for WHO.

The WHA will feature sessions in three main committees: Plenary, Committee A, and Committee B.

The Plenary session, attended by health ministers and heads of delegation from 194 nations, will open the assembly. Committee B will focus on internal and external audit, budget, and financing matters, as well as the WHO secretariat.

At least 14 side events and multiple strategic roundtables will take place on the sidelines of the WHA. These events will cover a wide range of health topics, allowing participants to share insights and strategies for advancing the global health agenda.

India is spearheading the Regional One Voice initiative for the Southeast Asia region.

This initiative advocates for well-being and health promotion, addressing social determinants of health, maternal, infant, and young child nutrition, and promoting economics and health for all.

By showcasing Ayushman Bharat, public health emergency preparedness, digital health transformations, and the Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube, India aims to contribute significantly to the global health dialogue and inspire other nations to adopt similar initiatives.

Last year, addressing the "One Earth One Health - Advantage Healthcare India" gathering in Gandhinagar, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general, WHO, praised India's utilization of digital health platforms, as showcased by the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres.

Dr Tedros lauded India's initiative, Ayushman Bharat, as a model investment in primary healthcare. He said the Indian government's investment in primary healthcare is the right investment through ABDM.