Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda addressed the World Congress of Gastroenterology 2026 in New Delhi, highlighting the Indian government's comprehensive healthcare achievements and initiatives. The four-day international congress, held in India for the first time with theme 'Transforming Gastrointestinal Health, Preserving Nature,' brings together leading global experts in gastroenterology.
Under the National Health Policy 2017, the government has strengthened health systems across all levels of care with emphasis on preventive and promotive healthcare alongside curative dimensions. The network of approximately 1.86 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs serves as primary healthcare contact points, conducting population-based screening for non-communicable diseases including over 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 for people aged 30 years and above.
Significant improvements in maternal and child health outcomes were reported: institutional deliveries increased from 79% in 2015-16 to approximately 90%, maternal mortality declined by 86% between 1990 and 2023, under-five mortality decreased by 79%, and neonatal mortality declined by 70% over the respective periods.
The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) provides health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year and has expanded to cover more than 600 million beneficiaries, including approximately 60 million senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of economic status. The scheme has delivered over 13 crore treatments involving healthcare expenditure exceeding ₹2 lakh crore.
Additional initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana with 20,149 Jan Aushadhi Kendras providing generic medicines at substantially lower prices, resulting in approximately ₹45,000 crore in savings for citizens. These measures contributed to reducing out-of-pocket expenditure from 62% of total health expenditure in 2014-15 to 43.4% in 2021-22.
The government also promotes healthy dietary practices through the Eat Right India campaign and Poshan Maah initiatives, addressing obesity and promoting healthier lifestyles. The Congress provides a platform for knowledge exchange and innovation in gastroenterology, with Indian professionals contributing to global research in epidemiology, guidelines, and translational medicine.