Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda on Wednesday highlighted the expansion of India’s primary healthcare network, noting that around 1.86 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are bringing comprehensive primary healthcare closer to communities. Addressing the World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG 2026) in New Delhi, he also underscored the Government’s efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare, expand financial protection and improve access to affordable medicines.
Addressing the inaugural session, Nadda said the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have emerged as an important point of contact for people and are helping strengthen preventive and promotive health services at the community level.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Health Policy, 2017 marked an important shift towards a comprehensive, holistic and inclusive approach to healthcare, covering preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative dimensions.
Under the policy framework, the Government is strengthening health systems across all levels of care, with emphasis on achieving an optimal balance between primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare and improving linkages between different levels of care, stated a press release by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Over 1.46 Billion NCD Screenings Through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
Nadda underlined screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a key pillar of preventive healthcare. Through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, population-based screening is being undertaken among people aged 30 years and above for hypertension, diabetes and common cancers, including oral, breast and cervical cancers.
He said more than 420 million screenings for hypertension, 420 million for diabetes, 360 million for oral cancer, 170 million for breast cancer and 90 million for cervical cancer have been conducted so far.
Maternal, Child Health Indicators Show Significant Improvement
Highlighting progress in maternal and child health, Nadda said institutional deliveries have increased from 79 per cent in 2015-16 to around 90 per cent, as reflected in the National Family Health Survey.
He said India recorded an 86 per cent decline in maternal mortality between 1990 and 2023, while under-five mortality declined by 79 per cent and neonatal mortality by 70 per cent over the respective period.
AB-PMJAY Expands Financial Protection to Over 600 Million Beneficiaries
Nadda highlighted the Government’s efforts to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent economically vulnerable and marginalised sections from accessing quality healthcare.
He said Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), launched in September 2018, provides health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year and has expanded its coverage to more than 600 million beneficiaries. The scheme has also been extended to around 60 million senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their economic status.
He said more than 13 crore treatments have been provided under the scheme, involving healthcare expenditure of over ₹2 lakh crore, reflecting the scale of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare and strengthen financial protection.
20,149 Jan Aushadhi Kendras Help Reduce Medicine Costs
The Health Minister also highlighted measures to improve the affordability of medicines and medical devices. Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, quality generic medicines are being made available at substantially lower prices than branded medicines.
Nadda said more than 20,149 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are currently serving people across the country and citizens have collectively saved around ₹45,000 crore on medicine expenditure through the initiative.
He said these measures have helped reduce the financial burden of healthcare on households. Out-of-pocket expenditure as a proportion of total health expenditure declined from 62 per cent in 2014-15 to 43.4 per cent in 2021-22, he added.
Focus on Healthy Lifestyles and Preventive Healthcare
Nadda also highlighted the Government’s efforts to promote healthy dietary practices and active lifestyles. He referred to initiatives such as the Eat Right India campaign of FSSAI and Poshan Maah, which seek to raise awareness about healthy eating habits and physical activity.
He also recalled the Prime Minister’s call to citizens to reduce oil consumption as part of efforts to address obesity and promote healthier lifestyles.
India Hosts World Congress of Gastroenterology for First Time
Being held in India for the first time, the four-day World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG 2026) commenced on Wednesday and will continue till October 3. The Congress brings together leading experts, clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals from India and across the world.
With the theme “Transforming Gastrointestinal Health, Preserving Nature,” WCOG 2026 is jointly hosted by the Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) and the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), in collaboration with the Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL), Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation India (CCFI), Indian Pancreas Club (IPC) and Indian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association (INMA).
The Congress focuses on advances in gastrointestinal health through cutting-edge science, clinical practice, research, innovation and multidisciplinary exchange.
WCOG Provides Platform for Global Scientific Collaboration
Nadda said international scientific forums such as WCOG provide valuable opportunities for sharing knowledge, learning from different healthcare systems and strengthening international collaboration. He also highlighted the importance of such platforms for young doctors, who will carry forward the next generation of research, clinical practice and innovation in gastroenterology.
The first-time hosting of the World Congress of Gastroenterology in India marks an important milestone in the country’s engagement with the global gastroenterology community and provides an opportunity to further strengthen international scientific partnerships and multidisciplinary collaboration in healthcare.
Prof. Nikhil Tandon, Director, AIIMS; Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Dr. Carolina Olano, President, WGO; Dr. Govind Makharia, Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), WCOG; and Dr. Mathew Philip, Secretary General, ISG, were also present at the event.
-PIB inputs
