What happened?
On May 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva via videoconferencing. He highlighted India’s ‘One World for Health’ vision, emphasizing inclusion, integrated vision, and collaboration for a healthy world. The Prime Minister showcased India’s health reforms, including Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest health insurance scheme, and digital health initiatives. He noted a decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure and an increase in Government Health Expenditure. He also stressed that India’s health approach offers replicable models for the Global South and encouraged participation in the upcoming International Day of Yoga.
Why it matters to India
Prime Minister Modi’s address at the World Health Assembly showcases India’s growing leadership in global health and its commitment to inclusive and sustainable healthcare models. By highlighting initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, India positions itself as a model for universal health coverage, demonstrating its ability to provide affordable and accessible healthcare on a large scale. The emphasis on digital health initiatives and telemedicine underscores India’s technological advancements in healthcare delivery and its potential to bridge healthcare disparities. India’s willingness to share its health learnings and best practices, particularly with the Global South, reinforces its role as a responsible global partner and aims to foster greater cooperation in addressing global health challenges. The reference to the INB treaty and the call for global cooperation against future pandemics also highlight India’s proactive stance in strengthening global health security.