Union Health Minister Inaugurates Workshop for Accessible Healthcare in Northeastern States

New Delhi: In a virtual ceremony, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, inaugurated the “Regional Consultative Workshop on Research Priority for Providing Accessible and Affordable Healthcare for the Northeastern States of India” today. The event witnessed the presence of Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, and Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya. The workshop is a joint effort by the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong, and Indian Council of Medical Research – Regional Medical Research Centre, Dibrugarh.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for a healthy and developed India, ensuring quality healthcare facilities for all citizens. He underscored the government’s commitment to providing accessible, affordable, and balanced healthcare across geographical areas without distinction between rich and poor.

Highlighting the government’s focus on the Northeast region’s development, Dr. Mandaviya stated, “In the last 10 years, efforts have been made to bring it into the mainstream of the country by connecting it with all types of connectivity like Health, Roadways, Railways, I-Ways, Waterways, and Ropeway, etc.” He praised the region’s transformation into a growth engine and mentioned the establishment of key medical institutions and the opening of 23 new medical colleges in the area.

Dr. Mandaviya shared key healthcare initiatives, including the distribution of Ayushman cards to over 31 crore people, the operation of 11,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras offering affordable medicines, and the establishment of more than 1.64 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Free dialysis services for over 22 lakh kidney patients, treatment for 6 crore individuals through PMJAY, and a reduction in out-of-pocket health expenditure were also highlighted.

The Union Health Minister announced the government’s focus on Essential Health Technology, aligning with essential medicine initiatives, to ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of health technologies in the future.

During the ceremony, Dr. Mandaviya inaugurated a Market Place and launched a Master’s Program on Health Economics and Technology Assessment at IIPH, Shillong. The event was attended by senior officials from the Union Government and the Government of Meghalaya.

The workshop aims to foster collaborative research efforts and prioritize healthcare initiatives for the Northeastern States, promoting a comprehensive and inclusive approach to healthcare development.