India aims to attain highest possible level of health: Minister
New Delhi, Sep 3 : Stressing that India has fast-tracked many initiatives aimed at achieving the tenets of universal health coverage, Union Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday said here that the country's objective is to attain the highest possible level of health.
"India has fast-tracked many initiatives aimed at achieving all the core tenets of Universal Health Coverage i.e, strengthening health systems, improving access to free medicines and diagnostics and reducing catastrophic healthcare spending," Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare said at the inauguration of the '71st Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South East Asia Region (SEAR).'
He said that the country "believes in the objective of attainment of the highest possible level of health, where health is a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity".
"Moving towards this objective, we have adopted the National Health Policy 2017 with the aim to provide affordable healthcare for all," he added.
The session, attended by ministers of health from the SEAR countries, also had participation of Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog, Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health) among other dignitaries.
He described Ayushman Bharat as a programme that rests on "the twin pillars of health and wellness for provision of comprehensive primary healthcare services".
"Under the first pillar of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, we are reaching out to approximately 40 per cent of country's population roughly covering 500 million individuals, who will be provided an insurance cover of 500 thousand Indian rupees to cover secondary and tertiary healthcare."
The Minister said that India has always supported regional and global public health issues.
"India supports the regional and global health agenda and stands ready to work with fellow member states and the international community to achieve our common goal of health for all," he said.
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Donald Trump returns to the Oval Office: What are the additions?
Washington, D.C.: Donald Trump, now serving as the 47th President of the United States, has revamped the Oval Office as part of his return to the White House. His modifications include a portrait of Andrew Jackson, a choice previously criticised due to Jackson's history as a slave owner and his role in the forced displacement of Native Americans.
Trump's Oval Office now features portraits of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson. The bust of Winston Churchill has been reinstated, while Martin Luther King Jr.'s bust remains in place. A sculpture titled The Bronco Buster by Frederic Remington is positioned under Jackson's portrait. Meanwhile, a bust of Robert F. Kennedy, which was displayed during Joe Biden's presidency, has been removed.
The President has personalised the space with silver eagle figurines, a square paperweight bearing his name, and family photos near the Resolute Desk. The gold curtains from his first term have been retained, replacing Biden’s blue rug with a neutral-coloured one used during Ronald Reagan's presidency.
Trump’s famous "Diet Coke" button, which signals White House staff to serve his favourite beverage, is back on his desk. Outside the Oval Office, Biden’s chocolate chip cookies have been replaced with flowers and a gold paperweight embossed with "Trump."
